TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing with genuine superstars all over the place.
Read on for our man’s top tips and check out his guide to all the ITV action below.
Back a horse by clicking their odds and see our Irish tipster’s picks for the top action at Punchestown as well. Good luck!
GLIMPSE OF GALA (1.30 Ascot, nap)
She ran a cracker when a close-up second at Aintree last time and sees out this trip strongly.
EDWARDSTONE (3.15 Ascot, nb)
Arkle winner last season who looks too classy dropped to handicap level.
WOULDUBEWELL (12.40 Haydock, treble)
Was impressive when scoring at Bangor when last seen and goes best when fresh.
Templegate’s ITV verdicts
HAYDOCK
1.50
HITMAN could do with a win and this looks an ideal chance.
He ran a cracker when second in the tough Old Roan Chase at Aintree on return where he gave more than a stone and beating to Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Ga Law.
This is a clear drop in class and he should be too good.
Itchy Feet is best when fresh and finished second in this 12 months ago. He’s had a wind op ahead of this comeback and can give the hotpot most to think about.
Minella Drama was a Grade 2 winner here in January and needed his comeback at Carlisle. His best could see him into the forecast spot.
Erne River looked a decent prospect last season and needs watching on this comeback run with future battles in mind.
2.25
BOTOX HAS is rock solid over staying trips and looked as good as ever when finishing a good second in a hot handicap at Cheltenham on comeback last month.
He’s high enough in the weights but his capable rider takes off 7lb and he was good enough to win a Grade 2 at Fontwell in February.
Good Risk At All was impressive when scoring in the mud at Carlisle on comeback last month. He is really strong traveller and crosses his hurdles well.
Getting up that hill at the Cumbrian track isn’t easy so there’s every chance he’ll see out this longer trip at flatter Haydock.
Run For Oscar was an easy Cesarewitch winner on the Flat last time and he’s decent over hurdles too. He has a lot of weight but can figure.
Might I won first time out last season and finished with an excellent second in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
Despite that, his handicap mark looks fair and he’s a real challenger for Harry Fry.
Wholestone should be fitter after a decent comeback second at Carlisle and landed a big race in the mud here in February.
He stays well and more rain would help his chances.
Brinkley is another mudlark who stays and likes to get out in front. He has won after a break and is coming down the weights.
Ailie Rose was behind Good Risk At All at Carlisle but may have needed that after a break.
She won the last time she tackled this trip and has an each-way shout.
3.00
A PLUS TARD was brilliant when winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup and kicked off last season with a bloodless win in this race.
He goes on any ground and can start his run to the Festival with another victory.
Protektorat was third in that Gold Cup and can give Henry De Bromhead’s star most to think about.
He won’t mind the forecast rain and sees out this trip well.
Bristol De Mai has won this race three times but lost his way last season with a second in the Grand National Trial here in February the only highlight.
He’s 11 now and would need it bottomless to figure.
Frodon was brilliant in the Badger Beer last time but this is much tougher. Eldorado Allen was a good second in the Charlie Hall but needs more.
3.35
MUSICAL SLAVE has run well on both visits to Haydock and sees out this trip well.
He finished last season with a good second in the Bet365 Gold Cup when his jumping was much better than his early days. This is wide open but he can go close.
Fontaine Collonges is another back from a break but progressed well last season and could improve for this step up in distance.
Houston Texas has been going well at lower levels and trainer Nicky Richards is in solid form. He could be ahead of the handicapper.
Lord Du Mesnil has a strong record at Haydock when it’s testing so any rain will help.
He went close at Bangor on comeback latest and is only 1lb higher.
The Big Breakaway is hit and miss but has had a little help from the handicapper.
ASCOT
2.05
L’HOMME PRESSE was one of he the most improved chasers in training last season, winning his first five races including over this course and distance in December.
He won the Grade 1 Brown Advisory in style at the Cheltenham Festival but had enough zip for this trip when taking the Scilly Isles at Sandown in February.
The more rain the better but his class can see him home.
The plan is for Hitman to run at Haydock so, assuming he goes there, Saint Calvados can give the tip most to do.
He held his own at the highest level last season but this is more his grade and he signed off last term by winning the Oaksey at Sandown.
He’s been bought by galloping dentist David Maxwell since who can steer him into second.
Do Your Job is proven in this grade but made errors at Aintree, while Coole Cody was well off the pace at Cheltenham last week.
2.40
CONSTITUTION HILL is different class to these rivals and put up one of the most breaktaking hurdles performances I’ve ever seen when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 22 lengths at the Cheltenham Festival.
He had already won another Grade 1 by 12 lengths and breezed to victory on debut so Nicky Henderson should have him ready for this comeback.
It’s hard to see anything laying a glove on him with the slightly longer trip no issue and he handles any ground.
Brewin’upastorm unseated at the first on his comeback at Aintree earlier this month.
That was his second poor run at Aintree and he’s better judged by his second in the Game Spirit at Fontwell in February.
It’s a wise move to bring Goshen back to hurdles after his shocking chase run here last time.
Those two can fight it out for second with the former just preferred.
3.15
IT’S a bit of a surprise to see double Grade 1 winner EDWARDSTONE make his comeback in a handicap but he has enough class to give the weight away.
He was forced out of the Grade 2 Shloer at Cheltenham by the going last week and he should get the bit of give in the ground he likes here.
He was impressive when winning last season’s Arkle and he’s gone well fresh before.
This isn’t a penalty kick though and Boothill looks a threat.
He looked happy back over fences when scoring at Newton Abbot last month. He didn’t have a lot to beat but did it well and has more to offer as a chaser.
Thyme White had lots up his sleeve when winning by just under five lengths here on comeback.
He’s up 7lb for that but has few miles on the clock and is open to improvement.
Templegate’s tips
Irish racing tips
Punchestown
12.30 Journey With Me
1.03 Hallowed Star
1.38 Absolute Notions
2.13 Queens Brook (nb)
2.48 The Model Kingdom
3.23 Jungle Prose (NAP)
3.55 Teuchters Glory
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