TEMPLEGATE takes on a blockbuster Saturday of racing where we could see a whole host of future Cheltenham Festival stars.
Read on for our man’s tips, find his in-depth guide to all the TV action below, check out the Irish tips at the bottom of the story – and back a winner by clicking their odds. Easy!
GA LAW (2.20 Cheltenham, nap)
He caught the eye coming back from almost two years off at Aintree last month. He travelled well there and finished strongly into third.
He is off the same handicap mark today and held his own in Grade 1 company before his layoff. He can go close.
BANBRIDGE (1.45 Cheltenham, nb)
He won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at the Festival in March but has always looked a chaser and kicked off with a smooth win over fences at Gowran last month.
He jumped well there and can kick on now upped in class by Joseph O’Brien.
SUMMERGHAND (2.35 Lingfield, treble)
He is in flying form and followed his Ayr Gold Cup win with an unlucky second in an Ascot Group 3 when he had to challenge away from the pace.
He is best over this trip and has scored at the track so should have no issues with the surface.
Templegate’s Saturday TV verdicts
CHELTENHAM
12.35
PAUL Nicholls has won this before with a French import and has every chance with BLUEKING D’OROUX.
He showed up well in a Listed race at Auteuil in April and is sure to have improved for joining the champion trainer.
Mr Freedom was coming to beat Medyaf and Tuddenham Green in a Wetherby Listed hurdle last time only to be squeezed for room and run out at the second-last.
He won three in a row before that and can turn the tables on that pair, with the 5lb he gets from Medyaf coming in handy.
Scriptwriter was a Group performer on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien and won nicely on hurdles debut at Segefield.
There’s more to come in this stronger grade.
1.10
VALSHEDA has been brought along slowly by Nicky Henderson and bounced back well from a chase debut fall to go close at Kempton before a Ffos Las win.
He stays well, looks on a fair weight and should be capable of better.
Bobhopeornohope has been in fine form at Ludlow with a win and two places from his past three.
He’s creeping up the weights but will be hard to peg back from the front.
Anightinlambourn followed two Worcester wins with a half-length second here last month.
She’s up 6lb for that but was up with the pace for a long way last time and can cope with the rise.
Jimmy The Digger won that race and should be competitive again, despite a walk up the weights.
Punitive comes from Gordon Elliott under an amateur in name only in Rob James and has been running well in Ireland. He’ll be hard to keep out of the picture.
Didero Vallis is another big threat after his third in the Kim Muir off this mark.1.10
1.45
BANBRIDGE won the Martin Pipe over hurdles at the Festival in March but has always looked a chaser and kicked off with a smooth win over fences at Gowran last month.
He jumped well there and can kick on now upped in class by Joseph O’Brien.
Tommy’s Oscar was classy over the smaller obstacles and looked a natural jumping fences when winning a match on debut at Carlisle 30 days ago.
This is much tougher but there’s a lot more to come.
Monmiral is another chaser with a bright future given he’s a Grade 1 winner over hurdles.
Trainer Paul Nicholls is in dazzling form but has said this five-year-old may need the run.
Pentland Hills ‘won’ a walkover at Huntingdon but was fit from the Flat so can’t be ruled out against these smart rivals.
2.20
GA LAW caught the eye coming back from almost two years off at Aintree last month.
He travelled well there and finished strongly into third.
He is off the same handicap mark today and held his own in Grade 1 company before his layoff. He can go close.
Stolen Silver had plenty in hand when winning here last time and looks a danger despite a hefty weight, given the strong form of trainer Sam Thomas.
Veteran former winner Coole Cody warmed up over hurdles and will try to fight them off from the front.
It’s asking a lot to win but he could make the frame.
Galahad Quest shaped well on return at Chepstow and has place claims, along with improver French Dynamite and Happygolucky who has ability but may need this after 581 days off.
2.55
SHEARER scored with plenty in hand here last time and can land another winner for in-form Paul Nicholls.
The plan was to go chasing but he’s improved so much over hurdles that connections have put that on the back burner.
This trip suits and he can cope with a rise in the weights.
On The Blind Side won this on comeback two years ago and can go close again from 1lb lower in the handicap. A bit more rain would be ideal.
Annual Invictus lost his way over fences last season and was a useful hurdler before he went down that route.
He has run well here before and switching disciplines could give him the boost he needs.
Similar comments apply to Padleyourowncanoe who is looking for his first hurdles win in four years. He could hit the frame if finding his best.
Fontana Ellissi was a fair second here last time and could improve for this longer trip, while Sidi Ismael improved for a wind op when scoring at Worcester.
3.30
UNANSWERED has improved plenty on the Flat this season and looks on a feather weight for this hurdles return.
He scored in fair company at Punchestown on his last jumps outing and can take another step forward.
Elle Perfecta was impressive at Listowel in September and is another with more to offer. She should have no issue staying this trip.
Wiseguy looked a nice prospect when winning at Donny last December but has been off since.
He’s one to watch and Nicky Henderson’s yard has woken up.
He also runs Time Flies By who got back to winning ways at Fontwell last time. His mark looks fair.
Nickle Back hasn’t run since winning at Fontwell by 30 lengths last October. He clearly has talent so watch for a market move on this belated return.
4.05
LUCCIA was impressive when winning both bumper starts last season, on debut at Warwick before a 17-length cakewalk at Sandown in March.
She quickened well in that Listed contest and should have no problem giving 4lb away to some of these rivals.
Willie Mullins is always respected at this level and his Williamstowndancer beat a big field at Punchestown on debut last month.
She picked up strongly and should get up the hill. Bonttay won this 12 months ago and is back with a chance.
That was the last time she ran so may be a bit rusty but we know trip and track are ideal.
Queens Gamble had ten lengths in hand when scoring here in April and can build on that for Oliver Sherwood.
LINGFIELD
2.35
SUMMERGHAND is in flying form and followed his Ayr Gold Cup win with an unlucky second in an Ascot Group 3 when he had to challenge away from the pace.
He is best over this trip and has scored at the track so should have no issues with the surface.
Logo Hunter has been going well over 5f including when a tight second at Dundalk last month.
He’ll be a threat if coping with the extra furlong.
Judicial can never be ruled out and came back to his best for a Beverley win 53 days ago. He won’t mind this step up in trip.
Harry’s Bar goes back over his best distance and landed a couple of hot Dundalk handicaps this summer.
He won here during his days with James Fanshawe and is in the mix.
3.10
FOREST OF DEAN looks a big price if he can find the form that saw him win a Group 3 here last year.
He’s been lightly raced since and has cheekpieces on for this comeback.
The booking of William Buick is a plus and the Gosdens have a good record in this race.
They also run last year’s second Harrovian who isn’t without an each-way chance either.
Bolshoi Ballet is the class act who is a Group 1 winner over this distance for Aidan O’Brien.
He’s been off a long time too but should be ready for this return.
Missed The Cut has only run once since winning a Royal Ascot handicap and could have more to offer for in-form George Boughey.
Millebosc was third in the French Derby last year and is worth a market check on this debut for William Haggas.
Templegate’s tips
Irish tips
Eamonn Hames says…
Naas
11.50 Ashroe Diamond
12.20 Hiddenvalley Lake
12.55 Fil Dor
1.30 Wellington Hill (NAP)
2.05 Gentleman De Mee
2.40 Three Stripe Life
3.15 Fameaftertheglory (nb)
3.50 Coole Cherry
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