TEMPLEGATE takes on a blockbuster Saturday of racing confident of landing a fair few winners.
Read on for his tips, check out his guide to every race on ITV and back a horse simply by clicking their odds.
While you’re here, why not check out this punter’s ‘bet of the year’, recall Paul Nicholls’ hilarious threat to beat up Martin Pipe and the best value picks for Saturday.
FIVE STAR GETAWAY (2.05 Aintree, nap)
He is best around this distance and jumped around these big fences when finding the Topham trip too short in April.
He warmed up with a spin over hurdles at Bangor which should see him spot on for this.
LOVE ENVOI (2.20 Sandown, nb)
She rose through the ranks last season, winning five in a row, including the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival.
She then went to Fairyhouse and went close again in a Grade 1 just behind top Irish prospect Brandy Love.
AHOY SENOR (1.30 Aintree, treble)
He put up one of the chase performances of the season when winning the Mildmay Novices’ Chase here in April.
He tanked along there and jumped beautifully in landing that Grade 1.
Templegate’s ITV Racing guide
AINTREE
1.30
AHOY SENOR put up one of the chase performances of the season when winning the Milmay Novices’ Chase here in April.
He tanked along there and jumped beautifully in landing that Grade 1.
He had earlier finished second in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham with this trip ideal.
It’s a slight worry that he was off the pace in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby on comeback but we can put that down to being rusty and he should show his true self here.
Sam Brown was a solid third in the Charlie Hall and another who landed a nice prize on his last run over this course and distance.
He should show more with the benefit of that comeback.
Chantry House went off favourite for last season’s King George at Kempton only to run a stinker.
He bounced back to land a nice win at Cheltenham in January but was pulled up again in the Gold Cup.
He’s had a wind op ahead of this comeback and clearly has talent if he decides to have a go today.
Noble Yeats won the Grand National in style and scored well in at Wexford last time. He may find things happening a bit quickly here.
Dashel Drasher won well over hurdles last month on return and has talent over fences, although this trip looks a bit far.
Sounds Russian has no stamina issues as his easy Kelso win showed. This is tougher but he’s only seven so could improve enough to figure.
2.05
FIVE STAR GETAWAY is best around this distance and jumped around these big fences when finding the Topham trip too short in April.
He warmed up with a spin over hurdles at Bangor which should see him spot on for this.
The line came a stride too soon for Gesskille when he was beaten a nose in the Grand Sefton Chase here last month.
He jumped beautifully and this longer trip should enhance his obvious chances with a 4lb rise in the weights looking lenient.
De Rasher Counter has plenty of weight but went close in good company at Warwick last time.
Forget his ‘unseat’ at the Canal Turn in the National as he was essentially brought down by a faller. He can make the frame with better luck.
Ashtown Lad has had this as a target and went well over hurdles here on comeback last month.
Connections hope he’ll go close here and come back for the big one in April having been fifth in the Scottish version last season.
Snow Leopardess won this in a battle last season and, while she has more weight this time, she is in the hunt.
Dr Kanaga is another fit from hurdles who should enjoy this test and is a proper stayer.
2.40
BRAVE SEASCA landed a hat-trick of handicap chases last season before holding his own in a Warwick Grade 2.
He fell early as an outsider in the Arkle and this looks more his level for in-form Venetia Williams.
Riders Onthe Storm was second in this last year and is back from a 6lb lower mark having scored here on comeback last time.
He is up just 2lb for that and looks a big threat.
Kiltealy Briggs ran well here last season and had a bit in hand when winning at Market Rasen on return.
He is another who hasn’t been clobbered by the handicapper.
Knight In Dubai has yet to win but went close at Bangor and could be ahead of the handicapper over a trip that suits.
Gunsight Ridge had a bit in hand when winning here last time and deserves this hike in class.
3.15
BENSON is a right character but he was second in a decent contest at Haydock last time and the champion jockey takes over which could make all the difference.
He is well weighted and looks a big price to make the frame.
Langer Dan landed a big win here in April after copping bad luck in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.
He needed his comeback and still looks on a fair mark.
Harbour Lake was a solid third in the Greatwood Hurdle last time and won’t mind this longer trip at flat Aintree.
Walking On Air has just three runs on his CV and he should find this easier than the Grade 1 he contested here in April.
He’s better than that pulled-up effort.
SANDOWN
1.45
JONBON was a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and looked a real natural when winning easily on chase debut at Warwick last month.
He crossed his fences like an old hand and should improve for that first run in seven months.
He has lots of pace for this 2m trip and looks hard to beat.
Boothill is clear best of the rest and he has already improved on what he achieved over the smaller obstacles.
He jumped nicely when scoring at Ascot but takes on a much stronger rival here.
He may not take this but definitely has more wins in him.
Unexpected Party was a solid handicap hurdler and was no match for McFabulous at Exeter so looks booked for third ahead of Honneur D’Anjoc who has disappointed in his two chase outings so far.
2.20
LOVE ENVOI rose through the ranks last season, winning five in a row, including the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival.
She then went to Fairyhouse and went close again in a Grade 1 just behind top Irish prospect Brandy Love.
There’s no foe of that quality in today’s field and she has plenty of pace for two miles.
Harry Fry should have her fit for this comeback.
Homme Public signed off last season with a win and scored on return at Wetherby three Saturdays ago.
He’s climbing the weights but keeps improving and has more to give yet.
In The Air had his moments last season and was better than sixth suggests at Ascot 15 days ago. Gary Moore is in form so he’s a threat.
Friend Or Foe has been chasing and is up the weights but a market move for the Nicholls runner would be interesting.
2.55
SHISHKIN will have to be at his best to see off the more than useful Greaneteen but reports have been positive about last year’s Arkle winner.
His effort in the Champion Chase was too bad to be true as he was beaten yards after the start.
He’s better judged on his other Grade 1 wins that include the Clarence House and Maghull at Aintree.
Ground on the soft side is ideal and Sandown are sure to have put lots of water on.
Greanateen won this last year and was back to take another Grade 1 in the Celebration Chase in April.
He was arguably better than that when taking the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter last time and can push Shishkin all the way.
This will be a good gauge of where Edwardstone is after his Arkle win.
This trip is ideal and he won a big prize here last season so is no forlorn hope.
3.30
REVELS HILL caught the eye with an excellent comeback second at Ascot last time.
He was just getting going at the end of 2m5f there and this longer trip will be to his liking from just 1lb higher.
Eclair Du Guye signed off last season with a solid second at Warwick and the booking of Harry Cobden catches the eye. He stays well and is coming down the weights.
Quick Wave would ideally like it softer but stays well and can cope with a 7lb rise for winning at Ludlow last time out.
Deise Aba warmed up with a run over hurdles after being pulled up in the Grand National.
He went close on his last visit here and would appreciate more rain.
Templegate’s tips
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