Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP hard to beat for a trainer who’ll have her revved up to the max
TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday’s racing confident of banging in a few winners.
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RIVER OF STARS (3.20 York, nap)
Won this race on comeback last year and has every chance of repeating the feat. She stepped up into Group 2 company for a close second in the Lonsdale Cup and ran another cracker in the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood. This is her ideal trip and she’s versatile groundwise. Ralph Beckett will have her ready to go and she’s hard to fault.
LIVE IN THE DREAM (1.50 Haydock, nb)
Was superb last season, winning the Nunthorpe at York before going close at the Breeders’ Cup in America. He likes this trip and, while quicker ground is ideal, he goes on soft too. He goes well fresh and is the one to beat.
DIVINE COMEDY (3.30 Haydock, treble)
Ran an eyecatching race when third on comeback at Donny last month. He was over too short a trip at 1m4f and his rider never got particularly serious. With that under his belt he moves up to a better distance in soft conditions that are ideal. He is only 3lb higher than his last win and trainer Harry Eustace is in fine form.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
HAYDOCK
1.15
BLUE LEMONS was a neck second on his turf return at Sandown last time and likes soft ground.
The form of that last run looks decent and he can improve for that outing.
Volterra had plenty in hand when scoring at Newmarket on comeback earlier this month. He saw out the mile well and can figure despite a 9lb rise in the weights.
Celtic Warrior didn’t get the best of runs at Chester last time and should be suited by this longer trip. He looks a fair price to hit the frame.
Candonomore was an easy maiden winner over course and distance latest in the mud. His opening handicap mark of 81 is fair and he can figure.
Involvement was unlucky at Epsom last time and has an each-way shout.
1.50
LIVE IN THE DREAM was superb last season, winning the Nunthorpe at York before going close at the Breeders’ Cup in America.
He likes this trip and, while quicker ground is ideal, he goes on soft too. He goes well fresh and is the one to beat.
Equality was back to his best when scoring at Musselburgh last month. Conditions are ideal here and he looks a big price.
Rogue Lightning was unlucky to be beaten a length in the Group 1 L’Abbaye at Longchamp in October.
He relishes this trip and connections have just shelled out a million quid to buy him. He can win some of that back.
Asfoora has some smart form in Australia over this trip on soft ground and is respected although this is probably a Royal Ascot warm-up.
2.25
VANDEEK looks different class to these rivals and can maintain his unbeaten record.
He ended last season winning back-to-back Group 1s over this trip on fast and soft ground. He can go right to the very top again this season for the Crisfords.
Inisherin is interesting dropped in trip after a solid sixth in the 2,000 Guineas.
He has never tried sprinting before but had enough pace to lead the Classic before fading late on so it could be the making of him. He definitely has plenty of improvement in him.
Esquire was a smooth winner over the Greenham over 7f at Newbury last time. He went close in Listed class at this trip and likes it soft. He has solid place claims.
Purosange was a solid third in an Ascot Group 2 on comeback and has won here.
He needs more to win but could hit the frame for Favourite columnist Andrew Balding.
3.00
BALDOMERO landed a long overdue win at Goodwood last time and can strike again in ideal conditions.
He had a bit in hand when scoring over six furlongs on the Sussex Downs and a 3lb rise in the weights looks fair enough.
English Oak is the main danger on the back of a good second over this trip at Newmarket earlier this month.
He finished off strongly there and the handicapper has been fair by leaving his mark alone.
This will be the softest ground he has faced which is the only concern.
Zip ran well over course and distance in the mud two starts ago. He is off the same mark today and went close again at Newcastle last time.
Metabolt was pushed out wide at Chester last time, which never helps, and he should be fitter for that comeback effort. This trip and track suit and he’s another to consider.
3.30
DIVINE COMEDY ran an eyecatching race when third on comeback at Donny last month.
He was over too short a trip at 1m4f and his rider never got particularly serious.
With that under his belt he moves up to a better distance in soft conditions that are ideal.
He is only 3lb higher than his last win and trainer Harry Eustace is in fine form.
Nothing To Sea has been off ten months since winning a decent contest at Sandown. He should be suited by this step up in distance but may need the run.
Zimmerman blew away the cobwebs at Ripon last time and won over this trip and track last season.
It was bottomless then and he’s only 2lb higher in the weights which makes him a danger.
Law Of The Sea ran well at Chester and is another contender.
GOODWOOD
1.30
MISSION TO MOON has won both his starts over this course and distance and had plenty in hand when scoring here earlier this month.
He swept right through the field to win going away. A 4lb rise for that seems fair on ground that suits. He can handle this hike in class and go close.
Qirat makes his handicap debut from a fair mark of 88 and showed promise last season with a win at Kempton and place at Newmarket. He is suited by this trip and can go well.
Balmacara has taken a couple of novice contests this season and was particularly impressive at Doncaster last time.
His opening handcap mark isn’t too harsh improvement is certain. He has run only on soft ground so far but should handle a bit quicker.
Al Shabab Storm finished strongly over 6f at Chester and won on his last visit here.
He has to be high on the shortlist along with Kingdom Of Riches who was only two lengths off the pace here last time out. Dragon Leader is another with place claims.
2.05
FRANCOPHONE looks hard to beat after her cracking second in the red=hot Musidora at York last time.
Charlie Johnston’s filly had shown promise in lesser races but improved markedly for the step up to this distance when beaten two lengths on the Knavesmire.
She ran well here last season so there are no track worries.
Regal Jubilee was outclassed in the 1,000 Guineas after going close in the Fred Darling on comeback.
This Frankel filly could improve for the move up from a mile and is dangerous.
Cheekpieces go on the other Gosden runner Beeley after her modest fifth in the Cheshire Oaks last time. That was just her third run so she could easily improve here.
Kitteridge was a fair third in a Newmarket Listed contest on the back of an all-weather win at Newcastle.
She is a proven stayer who could improve enough to make the frame.
Molten Rock may not have stayed 1m4f in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and can do better here.
YORK
2.45
VINTAGE CLARETS ran a mighty race when beaten in a photo by Democracy Dilemma at Chester last time.
He had to sit and suffer until a gap opened late but the line came too soon. He has winning form over this course and distance with some cut in the ground ideal.
There won’t be a lot between them again but Richard Fahey’s flyer can turn the tables.
Korker has a nasty habit of missing the kick which is a shame because he has a big engine.
He finished like a train when a close-up fourth here last time and would have a massive chance if coming out of the stalls a bit better.
Thunderbear looks a big price after a good effort at Bath last time. More rain would enhance his chances as he loves it testing.
Rabaah came back from almost a year off at Newmarket and will be fitter for the run.
He went close in good company here last season and has a chance although slightly quicker ground would be ideal.
3.20
RIVER OF STARS won this race on comeback last year and has every chance of repeating the feat.
She stepped up into Group 2 company for a close second in the Lonsdale Cup and ran another cracker in the Lillie Langtry at Glorious Goodwood.
This is her ideal trip and she’s versatile groundwise. Ralph Beckett will have her ready to go and she’s hard to fault.
A couple of jump yards have interesting runners.
Henry De Bromhead sends over Term Of Endearment with Rachael Blackmore up.
She was a Group 3 winner on the level in August and is respected along with Nicky Henderson’s Marie’s Rock.
She is high class over hurdles and makes her Flat debut at a big each-way price.
Safety Catch was a good Listed winner on the sand and will enjoy this step up in distance so can’t be discounted.
Templegate’s tips
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