Horse racing tips: Templegate’s 12-1 NAP relishes this unique test and will take all the beating

2 weeks ago 11

TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s action in red-hot form – and hoping the weather allows us to punt some top-class racing.

Back a horse by clicking their odds below. The big race (hopefully) is the Betfair Tingle Creek at 3pm. Good luck!

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ARIZONA CARDINAL (2.07 Aintree, nap)

He was the game winner of the Topham in April and looked rusty on his comeback at Chepstow last time. He still looks on a fair weight and has no stamina issues with testing ground his favourite. Gets the nod over fences that he took really well to last time.

MONTGOMERY (3.35 Sandown, nb)

He looks tailormade for marathons like this, especially if more rain comes as he is best in the mud. He landed wins at Bangor and Leicester last season and Venetia Williams has been sending out winners galore in the past few weeks. He’s gone up the weights but has more to offer.

WILLMOUNT (2.25 Sandown, treble)

He can hit the highs for Nicky Henderson. He was good enough to go off favourite for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last time. He picked up an injury during that race which has kept him off for 12 months. He’s gone well fresh and his opening mark of 130 looks on the lenient side if this six-year-old can fulfill his potential.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

SANDOWN

1.15

DUBROVNIK HARRY was last seen going close in hot company at Sandown. He sees out this trip strongly and has few miles on the clock. Harry Fry’s hope goes well fresh and enjoys some cut in the ground.

Henri The Second looked rusty after a year off last time and wasn’t helped by hitting traffic problems up the straight. The Nicholls runner will come on for that and looks dangerous.

West To The Bridge hasn’t won for a while but was just two lengths away at Bangor latest. He’s gone well here before and should be in the mix.

Up For Parol was a regular on the podium last season and has an each-way shout from his falling mark.

1.50

L’EAU DU SUD couldn’t have done any better since going over fences with an easy debut success at Stratford before an impressive 11-length victory in a Cheltenham Grade 2.

He jumped brilliantly there, has lots of pace, and could be going to the very top.

Down Memory Lane was Grade 1 class over hurdles and looked a natural when scoring by seven lengths on chase debut at Navan last month. He should take a big step up on that.

Touch Me Not was impressive at Punchestown just 13 days ago. He jumped well and can’t be ruled out.

Rubaud is thrown into the deep end for this chase debut. He has been in fine form over timber and is one to watch for the future.

2.25

WILLMOUNT can hit the highs for Nicky Henderson. He was good enough to go off favourite for the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle last time.

He picked up an injury during that race which has kept him off for 12 months. He’s gone well fresh and his opening mark of 130 looks on the lenient side if this six-year-old can fulfill his potential.

Altobelli has dropped below the mark that saw him hit the podium twice at Ascot last season. He can figure if trainer Harry Fry’s got him wound up.

Knickerbockerglory kicked off last season with a game win at Ascot and this may be the time to catch him.

Nemean Lion was a Grade 2 winner at Wincanton in February and will find this easier than the Grade 1s he’s been contesting.

3.00

JONBON sauntered to victory in this race 12 months ago and can maintain his 100% record at Sandown.

He comes here in fine form having scored on comeback at Cheltenham last month and he’s fine on any ground. It will take a huge effort to topple him.

Last year’s second Boothill looks a big price for the forecast spot. He was less than two lengths off Jonbon in the Schloer last time and a repeat of that would take him into the placings.

Edwardstone was third in that race and could get a bit closer with that under his belt.

Henry De Bromhead sends over Quilixios who returned with a smooth success at Naas last month. He’ll need to improve on that to beat Jonbon but has solid place claims.

3.35

MONTGOMERY looks tailormade for marathons like this, especially if more rain comes as he is best in the mud.

He landed wins at Bangor and Leicester last season and Venetia Williams has been sending out winners galore in the past few weeks. He’s gone up the weights but has more to offer.

Certainly Red got the job done nicely at Sandown last month and is another who stays all day. He’s off a career-high mark but will be competitive.

Unanswered Prayers won the Southern National at Fontwell and a 4lb rise for that should be no problem. This is a stronger contest but he has every chance of making the frame.

Mr Vango is being targeted at the Welsh National so may need this run on comeback despite conditions being ideal especially if the forecast rain arrives.

AINTREE

1.32

RICHMOND LAKE won this race 12 months ago and can follow up off the same handicap mark. He ran well here when fourth on comeback last time and loves soft ground.

No Risk Des Flos put in a solid effort at Stratford latest and has tumbled down the weights. He’s another who relishes plenty of cut underfoot.

Springwell Bay won a Listed contest on return but didn’t stay when third at Cheltenham latest. This trip will suit much better.

Dr TJ Eckleburg had plenty left in the tank when scoring at Haydock two weeks ago and can figure again despite a 7lb rise.

Grandads Cottage ran well in the Topham but may need this run.

2.42

LIAM SWAGGER can keep the James Owen bandwagon rolling.

He’s been sending out plenty of hurdles winners who were useful on the Flat and this three-year-old showed his class when scoring in Listed company at Wetherby last time. He likes this trip and has a lot more to come.

Static was second to the tip in Yorkshire before more than matching that form when going close in a Cheltenham Grade 2. There won’t be a lot between them again.

Quantock Hills was a winner in France and landed his first victory on this side of the Channel at Fontwell three weeks ago.

This is a fair hike in class but he has more to offer for Warren Greatrex.

Melon was a minor winner on the Flat at Haydock in September and this looks a tough contest for his hurdles debut.

3.17

CHOCCABLOC won first-up last season and can repeat the feat for Nicky Henderson.

He progressed nicely last season and finished with a good second over this trip at Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting.

He starts handicapping off a fair mark. Getalead has been busy this season, winning three of his past four runs at lesser levels.

This trip suits and he gets on well with today’s rival who takes off a handy 7lb. He’ll have to improve but there’s every chance he will.

Pyramid Place had a fair bit in hand when winning at Kempton last month. He won on his last visit here in May and will be competitive despite going up the weights.

Olly Murphy stablemate Tamar Bridge also likes it here and will be fitter for his comeback from two years off at Uttoxeter.

Santos Blue loves the mud so the more rain the better for his chances.