TEMPLEGATE returns with a look at Saturday’s racing and picks out his best bets across the cards.
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JET TO VEGAS (1.25 Ascot, nap)
Is ready for take-off. The seven-year-old bounced back to form when winning well at Market Rasen last time. That was his first outing for five months and the handicapper has hiked him just 4lb. He has Ascot experience, having finished second over fences here last November and he can take control of this small field. Lucas Murphy’s 7lb claim strengthens his hand.
PIC D’ORHY (2.55 Wetherby, nb)
He’s the class act of the field and a major player on his first start for Dan Skelton after switching from Paul Nicholls. The 11-year-old finished a close second in this race 12 months ago, beaten just a length. He was then a close-up second in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase before finishing a distant third at Aintree, where a bad mistake ruined his chance. Officially rated 162, he holds a 9lb advantage over his nearest rival yet gets weight off some of them. He has winning form on good ground and can go one better than last year.
QUEENSBURY BOY (2.33 Ascot, treble)
Can land another big prize for Mickey Bowen after producing a storming finish to snatch a hot Market Rasen handicap in July. The seven-year-old looked beaten approaching the final fence but found a devastating late burst to get up in the dying strides of the Summer Plate. The addition of cheekpieces seemed to make a significant difference that day. He returns from a 105-day break just 4lb higher and the step up to three miles should suit, having already shown form loads of staying power.
Templegate’s TV verdicts (1.00pm – 4.00pm, ITV4)
ASCOT
1.25
JET TO VEGAS is ready for take-off. The seven-year-old bounced back to form when winning well at Market Rasen last time.
That was his first outing for five months and the handicapper has hiked him just 4lb. He has Ascot experience, having finished second over fences here last November and he can take control of this small field.
Lucas Murphy’s 7lb claim strengthens his hand.
Glynn Brae looks a danger on chasing debut after winning a handicap hurdle here by 9l in March. The Twiston-Davies runner should improve for his Chepstow comeback.
Dance And Glance is another fascinating recruit to fences. Anthony Honeyball’s six-year-old won a valuable Haydock handicap hurdle in April before finishing a close third in stronger company.
The Gray Ghost shaped well when second on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter and should appreciate this longer distance.
Merely A Detail has already won twice over fences this summer but this is tougher.
2.00
MARTATOR can make a winning return to action at his favourite track after winning at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Venetia Williams’ nine-year-old defied odds of 66-1 to land the Grand Annual, producing a powerful late surge to snatch victory in a 20-runner field.
He has won three times at Ascot and finished a close second here last November, so this course holds no fears. A 5lb rise looks manageable and proven form on good ground strengthens his claims, He won this race two years ago.
Vanderpoel rates a major danger after winning over C&D in December before following up at Sandown. Seventh behind Martator at Cheltenham, he should appreciate this less demanding assignment.
Teddy Blue won this last year although his career-high mark demands more.
Gore Point has won three of his last four starts and arrives chasing another success after scoring comfortably at Newton Abbot.
2.33
QUEENSBURY BOY can land another big prize for Mickey Bowen after producing a storming finish to snatch a hot Market Rasen handicap in July.
The seven-year-old looked beaten approaching the final fence but found a devastating late burst to get up in the dying strides of the Summer Plate.
The addition of cheekpieces seemed to make a significant difference that day. He returns from a 105-day break just 4lb higher and the step up to three miles should suit, having already shown form loads of staying power.
He has winning form on decent ground, so conditions look ideal for another bold challenge.
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Viroflay should run another big race after winning twice in his last four starts, including a 43-length demolition job at Newton Abbot in May. Paul Nicholls’ nine-year-old likes to push the pace and could prove difficult to peg back if allowed an easy lead.
Califet En Vol also deserves respect. Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old won at Kempton in February and should appreciate the return to better ground after struggling on soft at Ayr.
Tapley arrives chasing a hat-trick after victories at Fontwell and Plumpton, although this looks a significant rise in class and distance.
Your Darling has won at Ascot before and scored impressively at Ludlow in March, while Henry’s Friend landed this race 12 months ago and is only 1lb lower despite disappointing later in the season.
Imperial Alex is another with claims after winning at Stratford and Uttoxeter during the summer, with a first-time visor now fitted. He needs a bit more but could figure.
3.43
TRUSTINTIMES can keep up his 100% record at Ascot. Harry Fry’s progressive five-year-old won over course and distance last November, producing a powerful late surge to score by a length before finishing a good second at Kempton on Boxing Day. He didn’t stay 2m4f at Aintree in April but a Flat run at Nottingham 17 days ago should have sharpened him up nicely. He returns to hurdles off an unchanged mark of 127.
Williethebuilder rates a danger after bolting up at Sedgefield on his seasonal return. A 6lb rise demands more but he was impressive.
Morning Mayhem has been knocking on the door, finishing second at Rasen and Chepstow before a respectable effort at Cheltenham last week.
Messerschmitt is interesting on his first outing for Ben Pauling after finishing third in a competitive 21-runner handicap at Punchestown for Noel Meade.
Nap Hand arrives chasing another victory following his Plumpton success, although he hung badly left on that occasion which wouldn’t be ideal here.
WETHERBY
1.10
PALAMON can gain compensation for an unlucky Plumpton defeat and land this hot handicap for Dan Skelton. The six-year-old was almost knocked off the track before finishing strongly. That followed a devastating 32-length demolition job at Southwell just six days earlier and he looks firmly back to his best. A 2lb rise looks manageable and Harry Skelton can strike again.
Tanking Along can go close after completing a double with a commanding front-running victory at Perth. Patrick Neville’s seven-year-old has risen 8lb but arrives in terrific form.
Kahavari is another serious contender after breaking his chasing duck at Sandown in April. Harry Cobden takes over and the return to good ground should suit.
Marty McFly rattled off four successive chase victories last season, culminating in a Class 2 success at Carlisle, and should strip fitter following his recent hurdles outing.
1.45
KATEIRA can bounce back to winning ways by repeating last year’s victory in this contest. Dan Skelton’s nine-year-old returns officially rated 8lb superior to her nearest rival. She was well beaten on her comeback at Chepstow earlier this month but that should have blown away the cobwebs. Harry Skelton returns to the saddle.
Ooh Betty is a major threat after landing a Grade 2 contest at Ascot in January before finishing a respectable ninth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. She then finished third at Ayr and drops back to Listed, although drying ground may not be ideal.
La Conquiere also has strong claims after winning a Listed novice hurdle at Newbury last November and finishing a close second at Ascot in January. Her Grade 1 defeat at Aintree can be forgiven in this easier company.
Watamu arrives in tremendous form following an impressive Stratford success and has won three of her last four completed hurdles starts. She can go well.
2.18
STRONG LEADER can make a winning return by defending his West Yorkshire Hurdle crown. Olly Murphy’s nine-year-old produced a strong late finish to score on good ground 12 months ago. He followed that with excellent seconds in Grade 2 company at Newbury and an Ascot Grade 1 before disappointing at Cheltenham and Aintree. He has a fine record fresh. Sean Bowen takes the ride and we know he likes the track.
Take No Chances looks a formidable danger after finishing a close second in this race last year before producing an excellent runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree. Dan Skelton’s mare needed her Chepstow comeback and should be much sharper.
Lavida Adiva is respected after her fine second in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham.
Paggane needs more on this return to hurdles.
2.55
PIC D’ORHY has made a controversial move from Paul Nicholls after not winning last season. His best run came when second in this race 12 months ago and he’d be giving lumps of weight away if this was a handicap. The quickish ground will help him get home and he can get the better of Handstands who has the unhappy habit of throwing in a jumping error.
The Real Whacker won this race in 2024 and bounced back with a convincing front-running victory at Perth in September. The former Brown Advisory winner stays three miles and could prove dangerous if Brian Hughes dictates matters.
Twinjets is a dangerous front-runner who ended last season with a determined victory at Ayr following a close second at Newbury. Also won impressively by 10 lengths at Newbury last November. Handles good ground but stepping back up to 3m in stronger company needs more.
3.30
FILIBUSTERING can bounce back after finding a hot Chepstow contest too demanding. Harry Derham’s five-year-old won impressively at Hexham in May before completing a double with an eight-and-a-half-length romp at Cartmel. He is 6lb higher but should appreciate this easier assignment and the return to good ground.
Race To Base was a fine second in a competitive Sandown handicap in April. He returns from six months off but has conditions in his favour.
Klitschko was back to form when runner-up at Sedgefield earlier this month and has won twice over hurdles there.
Banderas scored at Hexham in May but has struggled since.
DOWN ROYAL
3.15
BANBRIDGE can make a winning return to chasing after sharpening up with an impressive Flat victory at Gowran last month. Joseph O’Brien’s classy 10-year-old should be spot-on for this Grade 1 assignment and conditions look ideal for a horse who prefers decent ground.
The former King George winner was beaten just a whisker when attempting to defend his Kempton crown last Boxing Day before a third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
Heart Wood looks a formidable threat after storming to a 10-length Ryanair victory in March, although he was below that form at Aintree.
Fleur In The Park arrives in excellent shape following an impressive Grade 2 success at Gowran and has already proved himself at the highest level over fences.
Affordale Fury landed the Grade 1 Savills Chase at Leopardstown last Christmas and his subsequent flop is excusable after being found lame.
Haiti Couleurs boasts major staying credentials following victories in the Welsh Grand National and Denman Chase, while Romeo Coolio won three Grade 1 novice chases last season before his jumping let him down at Cheltenham.
Templegate’s tips
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