TEMPLEGATE tackles a huge day of racing at Cheltenham and Doncaster.
Read on for his tips and back a horse by clicking their odds below.
STOLEN SILVER (1.50 Cheltenham, nap)
He shaped well for a long way before unseating three out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last time.
That was his comeback run so he should be fitter today and he has a good record at Cheltenham, including a Grade 2 success in April.
FIRST STREET (2.25 Cheltenham, nb)
He was second in the County Hurdle on his last visit here and left that form behind when winning a hot handicap at Newbury last time. He stays well and looks open to more improvement.
MARTELLO SKY (3.35 Cheltenham, treble)
She won this race 12 months ago and is back from the same handicap mark again. She came back and held her own in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival to end the season.
Templegate’s guide to the ITV Racing on Saturday
1.50
STOLEN SILVER shaped well for a long way before unseating three out in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last time. That was his comeback run so he should be fitter today and he has a good record at Cheltenham, including a Grade 2 success in April.
Il Ridoto is another to run well in the Paddy Power. He’s had a wind op over the summer, which seemed to help, and he won’t be far away again.
War Lord was fourth in the Arkle here at the Festival and looked in need of the run when third in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He can build on that and looks capable of scoring at this level.
Simply The Betts will enjoy this slightly stiffer test after a midfield effort in the Paddy Power. He never runs a bad race at Cheltenham and looks a fair each-way price.
2.25
FIRST STREET was second in the County Hurdle on his last visit here and left that form behind when winning a hot handicap at Newbury last time. He stays well and looks open to more improvement.
Stablemate and former Champion Hurdler Epatante is out quickly after her second to Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. He’s high-class and will go close again.
I Like To Move It was impressive in winning the Greatwood here last time. He was helped by several hurdles being omitted as he galloped his rivals into the ground. He has a big chance again.
This is a cracking race with Knappers Hill right in the hunt too. He made it four wins in a row at Wincanton when stepping up to this level. He’s another with more to offer.
3.00
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT won a Newbury bumper before being pitched into this high grade for his hurdling debut here last time.
He was staying on strongly at the end of that 2m5f trip so this extra quarter-mile should be ideal with the benefit of that run.
Outlaw Peter has a lot more experience and took a novice contest by 19 lengths at Exeter last time. He’s back up in grade here but should run well again.
Thomas Mor couldn’t have been more impressive in winning by a distance at Wincanton latest. This is stonger company but he has a good engine and is capable of better again.
3.35
MARTELLO SKY won this race 12 months ago and is back from the same handicap mark again. She came back and held her own in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival to end the season.
She hasn’t had her best trip on two outings this term, finding 2m too sharp at Wetherby on comeback and 3m too far at Kempton last time. This is her ideal course and distance and she can show her true form today.
Theatre Glory looks a big threat despite unseating halfway round at Newbury last time. She was an impressive Listed winner here last term and looks on a fair weight.
DONCASTER
1.30
SCRIPTWRITER was a Group-level performer on the Flat and won a Grade 2 hurdle last time with plenty in the tank. You would expect improvement.
Nusret won a Curragh maiden on the Flat so has quality and got the job done with a six-length win on his first hurdles run at Punchestown. There’s more to come.
There seems to be a fair gulf in class to the others. The Churchill Lad didn’t do a lot wrong when scoring at Catterick last time but this is on a much higher level so he needs more.
2.05
BROKEN QUEST ran well at Cheltenham last time, keeping on well over a shorter trip. Going up in distance should help and he’ll appreciate the decent ground.
Storm Control showed some positive signs when midfield in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month. He’s got winning form here and is another who’ll benefit from this stiffer stamina test.
Marown came back from a break to go close at Ayr. He could do with a bit more rain but could come on for that run.
2.40
HEROIQUE DE MAULDE wet down in a head-bobber on his UK debut at Newcastle last time. He travelled strongly given it was his first run for a year and should be open to lots of improvement. He was a regular chase winner in France and looks ahead of his mark.
Maninsane dug deep to win by a neck at Huntingdon 21 days ago. A 3lb rise means he needs a bit more but he’ll be competitive again.
Getaway Luv trotted across the line when winning at Catterick so is value for a bit further. He stays well but could do with a bit more rain as soft suits.
3.15
MAILLOT BLANC came close to breaking his duck when third at Hexham last time and can strike in this weak contest. He stays and his amateur rider got a good tune out of him in Northumberland.
Watergrange Jack is the only one in the field to have actually won a race and his latest success was in styile at Ffos Las in June. He’s been below that twice since but has had a little help from the handicapper now.
The booking of Brian Hughes is a plus for Mr Dealer. He went close at Southwell in May and looked in need of the run on his first start since then at Wetherby last time.
Templegate’s tips
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
