Horse racing tips: Templegate’s confident 3-1 NAP can exploit a low handicap mark on debut
TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s action confident of building the bank for Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
Our man has already picked out a 125-1 double while we look at five horse who will love the soft ground.
Back to Saturday’s action – remember you can back a horse at the best price by clicking their odds below.
OLD HARROVIAN (2.40 Kempton, nap)
He kicks off handicapping from what looks a lowly mark of 93. He was impressive in winning his two all-weather starts last season before holding his own in a Newbury Group 3. We haven’t seen him for almost a year but Andrew Balding has his horses in flying form and he’ll be ready to go.
MANY TEARS (2.05 Kempton, nb)
He cost connections £300,000 after her impressive Dundalk Listed win last time. She came from out the back and pulled wide before landing a comfortable success. That was over this trip and she looks the type to improve as a four-year-old.
CUBAN TIGER (3.30 Chelmsford, treble)
He got the better of Orne when winning a Newcastle Listed race last week and Karl Burke’s colt can confirm the form. He kept finding more when challenged and should improve for the run.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
KEMPTON
1.30
AURIC wasn’t asked too many questions when an eye-catching fourth on debut at Wolverhampton last month.
He looked to have plenty left in the tank crossing the line and should take a major step forward with Oisin Murphy taking over from a 5lb claimer.
Grandlad was chinned right on the line when beaten a neck on debut at Newcastle 15 days ago. He should have learned from that.
Northerner and Kodi Lion both showed promise on their sole run last season and have more to offer.
2.05
MANY TEARS cost connections £300,000 after her impressive Dundalk Listed win last time.
She came from out the back and pulled wide before landing a comfortable success. That was over this trip and she looks the type to improve as a four-year-old.
Choisya signed off last season winning a decent handicap here on the back of going close in hot company at Newmarket. She is another with more to come.
Zouky went close in an Ascot Listed race in October and a repeat of that could see her in the frame.
Mystic Pearl held her own in a Dubai Group 2 last time and is best over this trip. She looks a threat in the first-time cheekpieces while Julia Augusta is better than we saw at Newcastle last time.
Enola Grey must find more stepping out of handicaps. Adelaise is a dangerous dark ‘un for Joseph O’Brien.
2.40
OLD HARROVIAN kicks off handicapping from what looks a lowly mark of 93.
He was impressive in winning his two all-weather starts last season before holding his own in a Newbury Group 3.
We haven’t seen him for almost a year but Andrew Balding has his horses in flying form and he’ll be ready to go.
Intinso proved his fitness when winning nicely at Wolverhampton three weeks ago. He has been hiked a harsh 8lb for that but has more improvement to come for Team Gosden.
Chillingham is interesting dropped back in trip after going close over 1m6f at Wolverhampton last time. He travels well and can stay on into the frame.
Youthful King has run a couple of nice races at Lingfield this spring and the handicapper has left his mark alone.
He has solid place claims along with Laafi for in-form William Haggas.
3.15
CIRCUIT BREAKER looks a stayer to follow this season having moved from Ralph Beckett to Jonjo O’Neill for hefty money.
He showed promise last season, winning over course and distance before going close in fair company at Haydock.
He has lots of scope to improve and should be ahead of the handicapper.
Duty Of Care likes to come late so will need some luck but his last two wins have come around here and he ran well at Newcastle’s AW Finals day last week.
Sweet Fantasy is fit from hurdling and won a couple of minor handicaps last season. She will need a bit more at this level but looks on a fair weight.
Novel Legend won a couple of hot handicaps over this trip last season yet is only 3lb higher than his Goodwood win in September. He’s won here before and rates a danger.
Old boy Sleeping Lion will run his race and could hit the frame – he won this three years ago.
3.45
DEVOTED QUEEN will take all the beating after her smooth debut victory at Newmarket in October.
This Kingman filly cruised along there and William Buick barely had to move. Moving up to a mile should bring more improvement and she’s an exciting prospect.
Ahlain is fit from a couple of decent runs on the all-weather. She scored here before going down in a tight finish for a Lingfield Listed contest.
She can edge out Les Bleus who hit the frame at Group 2 level last season but may need the run.
Marcella comes from in-form Andrew Balding so watch the betting.
CURRAGH
2.55
WHITE BIRCH was third in last year’s Derby before landing a win and a second in this grade.
He went through the mud when winning the Ballysax at Leopardstown on comeback last season and could take a step forward as a four-year-old under Billy Lee.
Layfayette won the Royal Whip over course and distance in August and has plenty of stamina. He goes on any ground and won’t be far away.
Greenland is respected coming from Aidan O’Brien given he’s won four of the past five runnings.
Wayne Lordan was on board last year’s winner Point Lonsdale and this four-year-old is proven in this company with cut in the ground.
Crypto Force has a long layoff to overcome but was last seen winning the Group 2 Beresford Stakes over this course and distance. He’ll be a threat if anywhere close to that form.
Maxux signed off last season with a good Fairyhouse win and won first-up last year. He needs a bit more but is a contender.
CHELMSFORD
3.30
CUBAN TIGER got the better of Orne when winning a Newcastle Listed race last week and Karl Burke’s colt can confirm the form.
He kept finding more when challenged and should improve for the run.
Orne will be no pushover again and the Gosdens fit cheekpieces for the first time. That could help him in the finish.
Capulet is the obvious threat with Ryan Moore in the saddle for Aidan O’Brien.
He won on the all-weather at Dundalk before stepping up to go close in a couple of Group 2 contests.
He looked in need of further than this mile when third in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket but his quality can take him close.
Bergamasco has been in great form at Dundalk so should take to this surface. He likes this mile and deserves this crack at much stronger company.
Bracken’s Laugh wasn’t disgraced in a French Group 1 last time out in October after breaking his duck at Newbury. His trainer Richard Hughes has been in decent form.
Templegate’s tips
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