TEMPLEGATE takes on a monster Saturday of action confident of finding you a few winners.
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BEFORE MIDNIGHT (1.15 Cheltenham, nap)
He won this race two years ago and is 8lb lower when taking his rider’s claim into account. He has just moved to in-form Fergal O’Brien and warmed up with a decent spin over hurdles at Chepstow. We know trip and track are ideal and he can go close.
CORACH RAMBLER (1.29 Kelso, nb)
Trainer Lucinda Russell has been firing in plenty of winners and her star chaser made it two Ultima wins in a row at the Cheltenham Festival before his brilliant Aintree success.
Dropping back to this distance holds no fears and, while this clearly isn’t his main target, he’ll be fit enough to do himself justice.
BLUEKING D’OROUX (1.50 Cheltenham, treble)
He took a little while to get going last season but was impressive when he found his feet. He took a decent contest at Ascot before following up with a close second at the Aintree National meeting. He was in front a long way from home there and kept going.
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Templegate’s Cheltenham verdicts
1.15
BEFORE MIDNIGHT won this race two years ago and is 8lb lower when taking his rider’s claim into account.
He has just moved to in-form Fergal O’Brien and warmed up with a decent spin over hurdles at Chepstow. We know trip and track are ideal and he can go close.
Haddex Des Obeaux looked a hot prospect when scoring by 19 lengths at Warwick when last seen in January.
He likes to front-run over this trip and will take some pegging back. You have to respect the two class acts at the top of the handicap.
Notlonglongtillmay finished second in the Golden Miller at the Festival so has a chance of giving his big weight away.
Similar comments apply to Dancing On My Own who was excellent at Aintree.
Guy may not get up the hill but Triple Trade looked a nice prospect when scoring at Kempton.
1.50
BLUEKING D’OROUX took a little while to get going last season but was impressive when he found his feet.
He took a decent contest at Ascot before following up with a close second at the Aintree National meeting.
He was in front a long way from home there and kept going. He can take another step up for Paul Nicholls.
Spirit D’Aunou was second on debut before running up four wins in a row in relatively minor contests.
His best run came at Chepstow in April where he didn’t have to break sweat. This is his toughest test but it would be no surprise if he was up to it.
There is a fair gap to the others with Bois Guillbert getting the job done against lesser rivals at Kelso for Lucinda Russell.
The Skeltons will hope for more from Punta Del Este who has been poor on three starts since being bought for big bucks from France.
2.25
LORD ACCORD won this 12 months ago after a pipe-opener over hurdles and has every chance of repeating the feat.
He ran well for a long way over timber at Warwick last time and that should see him spot on. He’s only 1lb higher than 12 months ago and has similar ground.
The Wolf chased him home last year and can’t be ignored for each-way purposes.
Quick Draw seems to have improved since joining Nicky Henderson. He put an impressive 21 lengths between himself and his rivals at Ludlow on comeback and an 8lb rise may not put the brakes on.
Kinondo Kwetu has to give weight away but won a decent contest at Aintree in May before a solid third at Uttoxeter. He made mistakes there but usually jumps well.
Twig won that race in the Midlands and is a strong stayer. He is another for the shortlist with a 5lb rise looking fair enough.
3.00
PARTY BUSINESS could be the answer to this wide-open race.
He’s had a wind op since a solid fourth at Haydock last time where he looked in need of the stiffer stamina test he’ll get here.
Trainer Ian Williams can get them ready at home and he looks a fair price.
Hugos New Horse keeps winning by small margins which means the handicapper hasn’t gone mad. He can improve for this hike in distance.
Bugs Moran keeps placing in hot company in Ireland and Noel Meade’s hope is another who should relish this stamina test.
Willie Mullins’ We’llhavewan got his head in front at Killarney. He’s up 13lb for that but should like this longer trip and can’t be ignored.
Ringdufferin has been going well in the mud and can figure if the ground’s not too quick.
3.35
ANTRIM COAST has run two crackers since going over hurdles with a Navan second followed by a very promising victory at Punchestown earlier this month.
He was staying on strongly over 2m4f and can take another big step forward here.
Trainer John McConnell has won two of the past three runnings of this race and has a fair chance again with Lisnamult Lad.
He scored on hurdles debut at Sligo and left that form behind with smooth successes at Hexham and Ludlow on his past two runs. He deserves this crack at stronger rivals.
Butch jumped well when scoring by 13 lengths at Southwell. He’s already proven over this trip and should improve.
Reverend Hubert wasn’t disgraced at Listowel latest and Charles Byrnes runners are always worth a close look in the betting ring.
4.10
FLOORING PORTER has won two Stayers’ Hurdles and can strike on this belated switch to chasing.
Trainer Gavin Cromwell has been upbeat about his schooling and we know this trip and track are ideal.
If he can run anywhere near his hurdles form he’ll be hard to beat albeit at cramped odds.
Broadway Boy has a bright future as he showed when scoring by nine lengths on chase debut at Worcester. He looks a strong stayer and won over hurdles here.
Twiston-Davies stablemate Weveallbeencaught was seventh in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival but did make mistakes over hurdles so is best watched.
Toss Again has more experience but was poor last time out.
4.45
CATCH YOURSELF ON can give Willie Mullins yet another bumper winner.
The great trainer has a 30% strike-rate in these races over the past five years.
John McConnell won this last year and has claims again with Jackson Lamb. He travelled nicely when second on debut and will have learned from the experience.
Highway One O Five has run well on both starts and didn’t get the best of runs at Plumpton last time. He has more to come.
Soir De Gala showed promise when third at Wincanton and could hit the frame again.
The Kemble Brewery came right away from his rivals at Huntingdon and is another to consider for in-form Kim Bailey.
Templegate’s tips
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