TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Good Friday of racing confident of bashing the bookies.
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GLEN BUCK (4.07 Newcastle, nap)
Looks a worthy favourite for the valuable Easter Classic. He has only had five starts in his life and is making up for lost time with two impressive wins at Southwell this year. His latest victory was very taking and he hit the line very strongly. Trainer Roger Varian reckons he could progress into a pattern class performer so should be up to taking this off a mark of 97.
STERLING KNIGHT (2.40 Lingfield, nb)
He clocked a fast closing sectional when runner-up in a similar contest in February. He’s drawn slightly wider than ideal but will be dropped in and ridden for a turn of foot.
WONDER LEGEND (4.42 Newcastle, treble)
Has found huge improvement now stepped up in trip and has won two out of his last three starts. He was very impressive at Wolves last time and can easily cope with a 4lb rise.
Templegate's verdicts
NEWCASTLE
1.50
BERKSHIRE WHISPER may have been let in lightly on handicap debut.
He was only workmanlike when winning at Kempton in February but took a big step forward when giving weight and a beating to a fair field over track and trip last month. He’s bred to progress with experience.
So Darn Hot won a strong contest at Lingfield last time but the handicapper is slowly catching up with him.
He finished ahead of Carbine Harvester, Marchogion and Good Banter last time but all three are expected to improve past him.
Hello Zaman was just beaten by a smart type at Lingfield last time. He has only three starts and there is surely more to come from him.
2.25
CLOUD COVER is a class act around here and produced a brilliant performance when sluicing home in this contest last year.
She’s a stone higher in the weights this time, but she’s proved herself when cruising home over track and trip in January off a 3lb lower mark.
There are risks attached with punting her at such a short price but in all truth the others all lack her class.
Aramis Grey is probably her main threat given her excellent all-weather record.
Powdering comes here in good form and looked to be crying out for an extra furlong when second over shorter at Wolves last time.
3.00
DESTRUCTIVE has found huge improvement since being gelded.
He has won his last three starts and clocked a very quick final two furlongs at Lingfield last month.
That form is strong and his tendency to idle when hitting front means he’s staying one step ahead of the handicapper.
Storm Star looks next best after two smooth wins over track and trip.
He comes here with confidence high and rates a big danger to the selection.
Roi De France holds no secrets from the handicapper, but he warmed up for this with an encouraging third at Kempton last month.
Last year’s runner-up Kingdom Come demands respect and Symbol Of Light is great form.
3.35
HEATHCLIFF looks the value pick to win this deep sprint handicap.
He has not had much luck this season, but has run with credit in defeat.
What he wants is a proper gallop and there is plenty of pace in here to make sure this is a truly run race.
David Egan rides for the first time and his patient style will suit.
Marshman sets the standard and will be a big threat to the tip despite a big weight.
Diligent Harry is a class act but has not been at his best this year. The handicapper has cut him some slack.
Last year’s winner Fivethousandtoone can’t be ruled out, but better value lies with the classy Saint Lawrence.
4.07
GLEN BUCK looks a worthy favourite for the valuable Easter Classic.
He has only had five starts in his life and is making up for lost time with two impressive wins at Southwell this year.
His latest victory was very taking and he hit the line very strongly.
Trainer Roger Varian reckons he could progress into a pattern class performer so should be up to taking this off a mark of 97.
His old rival Old Harrovian, who finished behind the selections two starts ago, looks his main danger after a stunning performance over course and distance in January.
He’s up in the weights but must be respected coming from the red-hot Andrew Balding yard.
The best is yet to come from Smart Hero who has stacks of talent but can take a grip early on and would not want this contest to turn tactical.
Last year’s runner-up Penzance and third Hooking can’t be ruled out in a better renewal.
4.42
IT looks like the better of the Legends and Wonder could be the one to come out on top.
WONDER LEGEND has found huge improvement now stepped up in trip and has won two out of his last three starts.
He was very impressive at Wolves last time and can easily cope with a 4lb rise.
Roaring Legend couldn’t be coming into this in better form.
He’s three from three since joining the Hugo Palmer yard, but this looks his toughest task to date after the handicapper walloped him for winning a valuable contest at Lingfield in February.
Plage De Havre is likely to do better with Oisin back on board, but his tendency to race keenly may hold him back.
Last year’s runner-up Duke Of Oxford is well respected.
LINGFIELD
2.05
IT’s hard to get away from MR BALOO who just keeps on winning and has developed a fine relationship with talented apprentice Joe Leavy.
He keeps winning by narrow margins and still looks one step ahead of the handicapper. He can land the four-timer.
Arcadian Nights is another who is chasing a fourth win on the bounce.
He’s very uncomplicated and has the added bonus of Billy Loughnane in the saddle.
Son Of Man was only just behind the tip at Wolves last time and is another with a chance.
Cephalus won the mile race on this card last year and is another with leading claims.
2.40
STERLING KNIGHT has been running well in defeat.
He clocked a fast closing sectional when runner-up in a similar contest in February.
He’s drawn slightly wider than ideal but will be dropped in and ridden for a turn of foot.
Dembe deserves to be favourite after an easy win at Newcastle last month. A 6lb rise is fair enough.
Blue Prince comes here in good form but is better over 7f.
A bigger challenge could come from Dragon Icon who will appreciate the drop back to a mile.
All-weather specialist Kalamunda is a big price with the excellent Luke Morris in the saddle and Farasi Lane can put a modest run on turf behind him now back on the all-weather.
3.15
THINGS have not gone to plan for PRINCE OF PILLO since his impressive win here in February.
He ran no race at this track two starts back but proved that running all wrong when flying home late over 5f at Newcastle last month.
The return to this trip will suit and he rates a strong bet from a lovely draw in stall two.
Both Mums Tipple and Silky Wilkie are well treated on their best form, but a bigger threat lies with Pals Battalion who has been in great form over the winter.
Top-weight Sommelier is out of form but first-time cheekpieces may spark a revival.
3.50
PARTY BEAR is a filly in the form of her life and she looks the one to beat after two comfortable wins at Wolverhampton and Southwell.
She has to overcome a 6lb penalty but her style of victory suggests she still has a few more lbs up her sleeve.
Handle With Care has been in good form over 6f but gave the impression an extra furlong would suit last time.
Lady Manzor is an upward curve but was always trapped out wide when third at Kempton.
She has leading claims on form but her draw in stall 14 is a huge negative.
Of the rest, Baileys Jubilation is well handicapped.
CHELMSFORD
4.30
THE Sky could be the limit for Willie Haggas’ SKY MAJESTY who was a perfect three out of three last season.
She’s already a winner of a Group 2 so the next step will be to win a Group 1.
This looks a hot contest to return in but she has plenty of scope to progress and her turn of foot is what sets her apart from her rivals.
Ryan Moore is a noteworthy booking for Jouncy who has some smart form to his name.
A gelding op may just help him calm down and he rates the main danger.
Uncle Don beat smart Big Mojo last season and has more to offer if this is a truly run race.
Sayidah Dariyan won a weak Lingfield maiden by 13 lengths and was not beaten far in a Listed contest at Dundalk on her last start.
We have yet to see the best of Andesite and Mr Lightside is another who is capable of getting involved.
Templegate's tips
CHELMSFORD
1.40 Charlie Mason
2.15 Christmas Gift
2.50 Bint Havana Gold
3.25 Windsor Pass
4.00 Caballo De Mar
4.30 Sky Majesty
5.00 Midnight's Dream
5.30 Notimeforchitchat
LINGFIELD
1.30 Destinado
2.05 Mr Baloo
2.40 Sterling Knight (nb)
3.15 Prince Of Pillo
3.50 Party Bear
4.20 Poncho
4.50 Coul Angel
NEWCASTLE
1.15 Royal Playwright
1.50 Berkshire Whisper
2.25 Cloud Cover
3.00 Destructive
3.35 Heathcliff
4.07 Glen Buck (nap)
4.42 Wonder Legend (treble)
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