TEMPLEGATE tackles a brilliant midweek punting treat confident of finding winners over both codes.
There is top action at Newmarket and Cheltenham. Back a horse by clicking their odds below.
APOLLO ONE (3.00 Newmarket, nap)
He is no whipper-snapper anymore but improved plenty last season and this race should set up perfectly for him. He goes on any ground and horses that can go the early gallop and race prominently tend to do well on the Rowley Mile, especially at this time of year. He runs well fresh and has a good record at the track.
DARK CLOUD RISING (1.50 Newmarket, nb)
Opened his season in style at Pontefract and this race should suit him perfectly. He is back out quickly under a penalty and looks a step ahead of the handicapper. The ground will be spot on for him and not many in here have had a run yet.
EAST INDIA EXPRESS (2.05 Cheltenham, treble)
Was well punted when only seventh in the Martin Pipe here at the Festival. He tracked a fast gallop and probably got involved earlier than he needed to. A more patient ride will suit and there is no doubt there is more to come from him.
Templegate’s verdicts
NEWMARKET
1.50
DARK CLOUD RISING opened his season in style at Pontefract and this race should suit him perfectly.
He is back out quickly under a penalty and looks a step ahead of the handicapper.
The ground will be spot on for him and not many in here have had a run yet.
Charlie Appleby always does well at this meeting and his Al Misbar will be popular.
He gets cheekpieces on now but was beaten in his only handicap last season and needs to step forwards.
Defence Minister was tried in a Group 1 at the end of his juvenile campaign and could yet prove better than a handicapper.
Double Rush bolted up at Wolverhampton on his return and looks smart.
He beat little there and has to prove himself in a big field.
Ryan Moore is an eye-catching jockey booking for The Dragon King.
Moore has a healthy strike rate for trainer Clive Cox and he is proven over track and trip having won a big sales race here at the end of last season.
2.25
THE paddock and betting will be your best guide here but on paper ALTAREQ makes plenty of appeal.
John Gosden has a great record in this historic maiden and this Frankel colt is related to some smart performers.
He will stay further in time but this looks a lovely place to start.
Stablemate Caughtredhanded went unsold at the sales but is related to some smart horses that Gosden has trained over the years.
Spy Kingdom cost 100,000 guineas and has more speed in his breeding than plenty in the line up.
William Haggas is no stranger to a winning debutant so keep an eye on his Muhaajim.
Hard Endeavour looks first string from Jane Chapple-Hyam.
3.00
THERE’s been no winning favourite of the Abernant since 2017 and APOLLO ONE is worth chancing.
He is no whipper-snapper anymore but improved plenty last season and this race should set up perfectly for him.
He goes on any ground and horses that can go the early gallop and race prominently tend to do well on the Rowley Mile, especially at this time of year.
He runs well fresh and has a good record at the track.
Romantic Style is another Godolphin horse to return from Dubai.
She was dropped to this trip last time and bolted up but still has a bit to prove.
Sajir has to be respected from the Andre Fabre team.
He won a conditions race in style last time and is well-touted.
Lethal Levi is another who will relish this sprinting test and could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.
3.35
OPERA BALLO can hit the right notes in the Craven Stakes.
Charlie Appleby loves using this race as a springboard to Classic success and I prefer what is his No2 on paper.
He could not have won any easier on his two starts at Kempton and clocked a brilliant time on his last outing.
He lacks some experience and may want a little further in time but could be a classy horse in time.
Stablemate Aomori City is shorter in the betting but was turned over a few times last season and a few of these may improve past him.
Wimbledon Hawkeye was rock solid at two and his Acomb second is red-hot form. His trainer has said he will need this.
Field Of Gold should improve plenty but will reach his peak over further and New Century is already a top-level winner.
CHELTENHAM
2.05
EAST INDIA EXPRESS was well punted when only seventh in the Martin Pipe here at the Festival.
He tracked a fast gallop and probably got involved earlier than he needed to.
A more patient ride will suit and there is no doubt there is more to come from him.
Deploy To Spy was progressive in the autumn and comes here off a break. This sort of trip is likely to suit.
Typhoon Flyer hit the line hard when bolting up at Haydock last time.
A 6lb rise underestimates him and he rates a leading contender.
Ballytechno caught the eye when flying home for third at Kelso in December and title-chasing Dan Skelton saddles last year’s winner Doyen Quest, but he’s much higher in the weights this time.
2.40
If you can’t beat them, join them.
It’s worth following that proverb because Willie Mullins is throwing everything but the kitchen sink in his bid to defend his title.
And his O’MOORE PARK looks the one to beat after a cracking third here in the Jack Richards at the Festival.
The form looks strong with the winner Caldwell Potter going on to Grade 1 glory at Aintree and the seventh The Other Mozzie hacking up in a handicap at Ayr on Saturday.
This trip might be on the short side but rider Sean O’Keeffe won’t be hanging about.
His stablemate Classic Getaway is a class act but has plenty of weight to carry.
Moon D’Orange looks the biggest danger.
He was pulled up in the same race as the selection last month but had earlier won a strong contest here in January. He’ll love the ground.
Bhaloo is next best after a smooth win at Newbury last month and last week’s Ayr winner Riskintheground makes a quick return.
Templegate’s tips
NEWMARKET
1.50 Dark Cloud Rising (nb)
2.25 Altareq
3.00 Apollo One (nap)
3.35 Opera Ballo
4.10 Seren Star
4.45 Push The Limit
5.20 Fifty Nifty
CHELTENHAM
1.30 Toad Hall
2.05 East India Express (treble)
2.40 O’Moore Park
3.15 Regarde
3.50 Long Draw
4.25 Hymac
5.00 King William Rufus
BEVERLEY
1.40 Ali Shuffle
2.15 Elegant Erin
2.50 Hiya Maite
3.25 Adoon Valley
4.00 Lightening Mann
4.32 Marioento
5.07 Law Degree
5.37 Crown’s Lady
FFOS LAS
4.37 Deep Purple
5.12 Scorpio Rising
5.45 Star Walking
6.15 The Dream Goes On
6.45 Ninth Loch
7.15 Bampton Star
7.45 Just Aidan
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