TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday's racing looking for winners.
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RASHABAR (2.35 Newbury, nap)
Was a fine winner of the Coventry at Royal Ascot before two unlucky defeats in the Prix Morny and Jean-Luc Lagardere, where he bumped into Aidan O’Brien rockets. He has his sights slightly lowered on return and with the track likely to suit, he can blast home under Sean Levey for plucky trainer Brian Meehan.
SURREY QUEST (3.35 Ayr, nb)
Was nosed out by Macdermott last year in a pulsating finish. Macdermott arrives in woeful form, whereas Surrey Quest went into the notebook after his closing third to Magna Sam in the Edinburgh National. Good ground is perfect for him and, with another strong pace to chase, he can get on the right side of the finish this year.
KABRAL DU MATHAN (2.15 Ayr, treble)
Has bumped into smart winners since his opening three wins. The form of his Windsor second has worked out very well and he’s kept on the same mark. He’s totally unexposed and Paul Nicholls can do no wrong with his runners at present.
Templegate's verdicts
AYR
1.10
HOMME PUBLIC has returned to form of late, going close over fences at Doncaster two back.
Dropping back to this trip will suit him and he has his perfect ground too.
He’s won off similar marks in the past and this looks an ideal opportunity.
Western Diego has been running well in tough novice races.
His opening mark looks rather lenient for Willie Mullins, who is throwing the kitchen sink at this meeting.
The Other Mozzie is another Irish raider. He ran well in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival and is on the same mark, making him a live danger.
Etalon is more out than in so Dan Skelton can’t be expecting much here.
1.43
MASACCIO could have won the Plate at Cheltenham if he had jumped better.
It was an uncharacteristically poor round and the fact he finished so close says plenty.
He’s only 2lb higher and should relish this smaller field.
Loughglynn wasn’t beaten far by Willie Mullins’ High Class Hero last time.
That form is strong and, through that line, his opening handicap mark of 143 is interesting.
Ideal Des Bordes stopped quickly last time, but the trip wouldn’t have suited. Expect a better performance today.
Whistle Stop Tour will relish a return to Ayr and is considered alongside Pic Roc, who had excuses last time and could bounce back.
2.15
KABRAL DU MATHAN has bumped into smart winners since his opening three wins.
The form of his Windsor second has worked out very well and he’s kept on the same mark.
He’s totally unexposed and Paul Nicholls can do no wrong with his runners at present.
The pick of the Willie Mullins arsenal is Ethical Diamond, whose County Hurdle fourth looks very strong in the context of this.
He has big claims alongside Valgrand, who has a lot to prove but is too well treated to be ignored in a race where he might be able to lead.
There is no doubt Dysart Enos has also been disappointing.
She promised so much this season but this gives her a chance to turn things around.
Don’t rule out Welsh Charger at a double-figure price.
2.55
THE LORD MAID turned in a career-best effort when upped to this trip at Chepstow.
A return to better ground is in her favour and she’s totally unexposed as a stayer.
She gets on well with her in-form rider and can get back to winning ways.
Lavida Adiva slammed Ottizzini in a Listed race last time.
That form is unlikely to be reversed and Ruth Jefferson’s mare will hope to pounce late.
Armed And Fabulous kicks off in handicaps off a fair looking mark and should have plenty of improvement under the bonnet.
Rialannah is as frustrating as they come but is an each-way danger with Harry Cobden up.
3.35
SURREY QUEST was nosed out by Macdermott last year in a pulsating finish.
Macdermott arrives in woeful form, whereas Surrey Quest went into the notebook after his closing third to Magna Sam in the Edinburgh National.
Good ground is perfect for him and, with another strong pace to chase, he can get on the right side of the finish this year.
Willie Mullins sends a battalion and has booked Harry Cobden for Captain Cody.
He has stamina to prove but is totally unexposed as a stayer, his third to Three Card Brag two back reads really well.
Rock My Way jumped like a kitchen fridge when second in the National Hunt Cup.
He stays all day and provided he jumps a bit better, he won’t be far away at the finish.
Chosen Witness is the bookies’ pick of Mullins’ army.
His three chase runs have been mixed, but he’s temptingly treated and won a handicap hurdle on this day last year off a similar mark.
Sail Away has been sticking to his task well over three miles and Dan Skelton will be praying he stays the trip as he tries to fend off Mullins in the trainers championship.
If, and it’s a big if, Mr Incredible consents to run, he would be really well treated, while Wiseguy could plod on at a price.
NEWBURY
1.25
SUNWAY had an underrated campaign last year, finishing second in the Irish Derby and third in the St Leger.
He stays well but also has a good burst of acceleration when asked, which will help in what could be a tactical race.
He sets a daunting standard and with David Menuisier hitting the ground running at the start of the season, he can pounce late.
The big danger is Ancient Wisdom, who was only 6-1 for the Derby but ran a stinker.
He won a Group 3 after that and Charlie Appleby is another trainer striking hot to start the season.
He’ll get first run on Sunway and will hope to cling on late under an ice-cool Will Buick.
Bellum Justum was last seen winning a Group 3 at Kentucky Downs.
Before that, he was running well in some above-average Group 3s on this sure and couldn’t be discounted.
The rest have a lot to find on ratings but Dallas Star is the potential improver.
He goes up in trip and with another winter to mature, he might finally have the staying power for it.
Both Tabletalk and Divina Grace look set for supporting roles.
2.00
BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD lacks the experience, but she looked potentially Group class when quickening away at Newmarket in November.
She cost a whopping £400,000 and is related to some really nice types, so improvement over the winter seems guaranteed.
Ralph Beckett has a good record in the race and can strengthen it today.
Simmering wasn’t beaten far in Group 1 races to cap off last year.
Christophe Soumillon comes over to take the ride and Ollie Sangster’s filly sets the standard on ratings by a fair old whack.
Heavens Gate won at this level in September and had excuses at the Breeders’ Cup.
Aidan O’Brien’s strong galloper will likely try to make the running and is unexposed at this specialist trip.
She won’t be easy to catch, though she’ll likely get pace pressure from Mountain Breeze.
She sat on the shoulder to win a pair of races in Meydan over the winter and has the fitness edge on her main rivals.
She has a bit to find but further progress couldn’t be ruled out.
Time For Sandals could be a good fit for Harry Eustace this season.
She ran on well when just touched off in a six-furlong Group 2 at York.
2.35
RASHABAR was a fine winner of the Coventry at Royal Ascot before two unlucky defeats in the Prix Morny and Jean-Luc Lagardere, where he bumped into Aidan O’Brien rockets.
He has his sights slightly lowered on return and with the track likely to suit, he can blast home under Sean Levey for plucky trainer Brian Meehan.
Al Qudra was beaten by Rashabar in the Coventry and didn’t need to improve to win a minor race in Qatar last time.
He’s unexposed at the trip and with the fitness edge, is unlikely to be too far away from the selection once again.
Chancellor was no match for Al Qudra on his second start but turned in a better run at Doncaster afterwards.
He’s a type to improve as he matures and the Gosdens seem to think plenty of him.
Jonquil disappointed in Listed company when last seen, but it’s not easy to forget his debut win.
He’s surely capable of better as he starts life out with Andrew Balding.
3.12
JAMES MCHENRY ran a stormer when second in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September.
He’s only 3lb higher for his return and is capable fresh.
He’s an uncomplicated type who will be handy throughout and with rattling ground perfect, he can get the better of the argument.
Silver Sword was very game at Meydan in March. He’s only gone up 4lb for that and the fitness edge could be crucial.
Metal Merchant is capable off this mark and was in good form last summer in top handicaps.
Whether he can produce his best when fresh is a big negative to his chance.
Son has the caveat of topweight but was gelded over the winter and threatened to win a big pot on multiple occasions last year.
He loves Newbury and has a big shout at a tasty each-way price.
Cogitate posted a career-best after being gelded at Kempton in November.
He’s lightly raced for his age and Charlie Hills has started the turf season well.
Templegate's tips
Newbury
1.25 Sunway
2.00 Bright Times Ahead
2.35 RASHABAR (nap)
3.12 James McHenry
3.45 Crown Of Oaks
4.19 Opportunity
4.54 Great Chieftain
Ayr
1.10 Homme Public
1.43 Masaccio
2.15 Kabral Du Mathan (treble)
2.55 The Lord Maid
3.35 Surrey Quest (nb)
4.10 Jump Allen
4.45 Chart Topper
5.20 Dysart Dolomite
Bangor
1.35 Sign Again
2.08 Rock On Rita
2.45 Tchoupinminzac
3.20 Fandabidozi
3.59 Quick Sharpener
4.34 Serious Chat
5.09 Hay Max
Brighton
3.49 Gennadius
4.24 Kesta
4.59 Time Patrol
5.30 Macari
6.00 Sawgrass
6.30 Otago
7.00 Shop Local
7.30 Hellavapace
Nottingham
4.05 Betweenthesticks
4.40 Mr Cool
5.15 Incan Empire
5.50 Secret Theory
6.20 Royal Observatory
6.50 The New Bay Pearl
7.20 Mr Jetman
Thirsk
3.55 Filly Foden
4.30 Mao Shang Wong
5.05 Northern Express
5.40 Kodi Lion
6.10 Lady La Fay
6.40 Muscika
7.10 Newyorkstateofmind
7.40 Canaria Queen
