TEMPLEGATE looks to start 2025 with a bang thanks to his winning tips.
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GOLDEN ACE (3.15 Cheltenham, nap)
She went down in a blanket finish for an Ascot Grade 2 on comeback last month. She won the Dawn Run here last season so we know this track suits and she gets handy weight from her male rivals.
SPRINGWELL BAY (2.05 Cheltenham, nb)
He has improved with each of his three chase runs and went well behind a smart winner here last time. He is best over this distance and has yet to run a bad race at Cheltenham. There’s more to come from what looks a fair handicap mark.
ANAMANDA (2.55 Musselburgh, treble)
She clocked a big personal best here last time when stepping up to this trip really suited. She’s back from the same mark with a big chance.
Templegate’s verdicts
CHELTENHAM
12.20
KALIF DU BERLAIS just got the better of Tedley when they met at Newbury in November and can uphold that form.
The Paul Nicholls runner was having just his second spin over fences and should have a lot more to offer given he was a Grade 2 winner in his hurdling days.
Vincenzo also beat Tedley last time out, at Windsor’s jumps comeback meeting 17 days ago.
It looked as though Sam Thomas’s hope may have to settle for second but he picked up nicely and won going away.
That was just his first spin over fences so there should be more to come and he looked a natural jumper.
Tedley is better off at the weights with both his rivals today and has shown his best over this distance.
He has crept up the handicap himself though and is now 11lb higher than his last win. He’ll need more to reverse the form.
12.55
DIVA LUNA was an impressive winner of the classy mares’ bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in April.
It was a bit disappointing to see her turned over at odds-on when making her hurdles debut at Lingfield last time.
She ran like a horse coming back from a break as she cruised along until tiring late on. This move up in distance looks wise and she gets 7lb off all her rivals today.
Kalhandrion has improved with every run and was a solid fourth at Warwick 20 days ago. He came home in his own time and is capable of better.
Mount Gay Run showed some promise on his comeback from a year off when third in a Sandown Listed contest.
That was a good hurdling debut on his first run for Keiran Burke since leaving Paul Nicholls.
Nicholls runs Ken Roy who wasn’t beaten in a tight finish at Plumpton a fortnight ago. This is tougher but there’s more to come.
Keep an eye on the betting for clues about £200,000 buy Pierrot Jaguen who makes his debut for Olly Murphy.
1.30
BROADWAY BOY can land a deserved first win of the season.
He was a good third in a hot handicap here in October before a cracking second in the Coral Hennessy at Newbury last time.
A 2lb rise for that looks on the lenient side and his liking for this trip and track is a plus.
Our Power is the main danger after a good comeback second here 19 days ago.
Trainer Sam Thomas is in excellent form and this 10-year-old is only 3lb higher than his last victory and is lightly raced for his age.
Chantry House is interesting on this first chase run for two years. He’s a Grade 2 performer at his best and the market will be a good guide.
Cloudy Glen was a as good as ever when winning at Haydock last month. He’s off a career-high mark now but he’s from the Venetia Williams winning machine.
Bowtogreatness was poor at Newcastle latest but he stays well and can’t be ignored.
2.05
SPRINGWELL BAY has improved with each of his three chase runs and went well behind a smart winner here last time.
He is best over this distance and has yet to run a bad race at Cheltenham. There’s more to come from what looks a fair handicap mark.
Gemirande has every chance of keeping the Venetia Williams run going.
He has been better than ever this season with a simple Ascot success before a battling win here last time.
He will have to find more from 8lb higher in the weights but is another who’s better over this trip.
Lisnamult Lad won nicely here in October before taking a tumble at Navan last time. He is only 3lb higher than his latest success and will be dangerous if able to bounce back.
Hitman is a frustrating horse as he travels strongly in his races but doesn’t usually finish them off. He has placed form in better company than this but is hard to rely on.
Marble Sands won a Listed contest over this trip at Carlisle last month but didn’t quite match that effort when held at Newcastle latest so will have to raise his game.
2.40
DEEP CAVE has had just a couple of runs for Christian Williams and showed more when fifth here last month. He had a bit left in the tank and likes this decent ground.
One Big Bang would ideally have the going a bit softer as it was for his excellent second at Haydock last time. He has plenty of stamina and Harry Cobden is a good booking.
Strackan really likes the mud and has been impressive when winning lesser races at Bangor and Uttoxeter. There’s no doubting his stamina and he could run on into a place.
Idefix De Ciergues stays all day and kept going to score at Doncaster last time. More rain would boost his chances.
Catch Him Derry was too bad to be true at Haydock and may bounce back.
3.15
GOLDEN ACE went down in a blanket finish for an Ascot Grade 2 on comeback last month.
She won the Dawn Run here last season so we know this track suits and she gets handy weight from her male rivals.
Langer Dan is one of the most famous hurdlers in training and was beaten in a photo for a Grade 1 over a similar trip at Aintree in April after his Coral Cup win at the Festival.
He was rusty on comeback and should be more like it today.
Gowel Road has a hat-trick of seconds here this season and looks booked for another place. He can make the odd error at the worst moment.
Salver and Lucky Place are both improving and look dangerous in a good Relkeel.
3.50
GNOMON comes from top Flat trainer Ralph Beckett.
He was impressive when scoring by almost five lengths at Exeter on debut despite his inexperience. He can build on that promising start.
Lady Tadita looked well above average when powering home by eight lengths on debut at Huntingdon 50 days ago.
This is a very different type of track but anything close to a repeat would take her close.
Merely A Detail was good at Doncaster and should have learned from the experience.
Rose’s Dart chased her home on Town Moor and is another with a lot more to come.
Marhaba Prince has moved from Owen Burrows since winning at Wincanton earlier this month. He’s Flat bred and can put his speed to good use.
Danger Nap showed some promise when second at Aintree and comes from a nice hurdling family.
Precious Metal finished with running left when beaten just a length on debut at Wincanton for Henrietta Knight.
MUSSELBURGH
1.45
BENSON has won the past two runnings of this race and will be much happier in this class after his Fighting Fifth run behind Sir Gino last time.
He has yet to run a bad race at this track and will go close on this hat-trick bid.
Bold Light is another coming down in grade after a modest effort, this time at Haydock.
A return to the form that saw him score with ease at Kelso two runs ago would give him every chance from a lenient handicap mark.
Liari was a good Listed winner on his last visit here in February and looked ready to tackle this longer trip when held at Newbury last time. He won’t be far away with his rider taking off 5lb.
Sweet Fantasy was useful on the Flat and wasn’t beaten far in good company at Cheltenham last time.
She’s had a little nudge down the weights and it’s still early days over timber for James Owen’s mare.
2.20
BEAU BALKO is consistent and put in another good effort when second at Newbury 14 days ago.
He won well on his only run at Musselburgh last season and is fine on this ground.
Boomslang keeps improving over fences and made it two wins from three starts at Carlisle latest. He stayed three miles strongly up the hill there so should be running on at the finish.
Corrigeen Rock looked in need of the run when a distant sixth at Ascot on comeback. He went close in this race 12 months ago and has solid claims again from 6lb higher in the weights.
High Moon was a fair third over this trip at Hexham last time. He has more on his plate here but could nick a place.
Breizh River has crept up the weights but will find this easier than the Grade 2 he struggled in at Cheltenham last time.
Templegate’s tips
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