TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of landing some late Christmas shopping money.
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HENRY’S FRIEND (2.20 Newbury, nap)
He ran a cracker when fifth in the Coral Hennessy here last time and was a Grade 2 winner as a novice. He has lots of staying power and looks on a fair weight. There’s more to come from Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old.
LATENIGHTRUMBLE (1.25 Leicester, nb)
He took a big step forward when winning at Wetherby earlier this month. He cruised into contention despite the soft ground and had plenty left in the tank. That was just his second chase run and there’s a lot more to come.
MR HOPE STREET (1.45 Newbury, treble)
He was impressive at Warwick when making it four runs from his past five starts. He tanked along there and had lots left crossing the line. He’s up 8lb but should be capable of defying that.
Templegate’s verdicts
NEWBURY
1.45
MR HOPE STREET was impressive at Warwick when making it four runs from his past five starts. He tanked along there and had lots left crossing the line. He’s up 8lb but should be capable of defying that.
Rightsotom was sixth in the 2023 Triumph Hurdle and had seven lengths in hand when scoring at Doncaster last month. He jumped particularly well and is another who could outrun a rise in the weights.
Mr Bramley got the job done nicely at Wetherby and deserves a crack at this higher level although he’ll need to improve.
Nicky Henderson fires a few darts with Go To War looking the sharpest. He was a dual Ludlow winner before a solid comeback second at Huntingdon earlier this month.
2.20
HENRY’S FRIEND ran a cracker when fifth in the Coral Hennessy here last time and was a Grade 2 winner as a novice.
He has lots of staying power and looks on a fair weight. There’s more to come from Ben Pauling’s seven-year-old.
Hoe Joly Smoke was impressive at Sandown earlier this month and will have no problem with the slightly longer trip.
It’s still early days for him over fences. Of the Paul Nicholls pair, Inch House can edge Brave Kingdom.
The former is having just his second run for the yard and his first came after seven months off.
Brave Kingdom didn’t fire at Ascot last time but won here this time last year.
Surrey Quest finished ahead of Hymac at Cheltenham last time and can confirm that form. He’s not out of the place fight given he won this race last year.
2.55
PAUL Nicholls has won the past four runnings of this Grade 1 and can make it five with REGENT’S STROLL.
He won a hot bumper here in March and kicked off his hurdling career with a classy nine-length victory over two miles here. He made just one mistake there and looks open to lots of improvement for the step up in trip.
The New Lion looks the chief threat after his course and distance success last month. Harry Skelton just had to push him out and there was lots left in the tank.
Bill Joyce looked all about stamina when taking a Sandown Grade 2 three weeks ago. It’s possible that he’ll be outpaced here but he can run into the frame at least for Jonjo O’Neill.
The others look a bit short of this level but Ben Pauling’s It’s Hard To Know had plenty in hand when winning at Market Rasen 23 days ago. This is much tougher but there should be a lot more to come from this bargain buy.
3.35
THEFORMISMIGHTY looked more than useful when winning by 10 lengths at Southwell last time. He’s shot up the weights for that but will enjoy this slightly longer trip and has more to come.
Inthewaterside is interesting on chase debut for Paul Nicholls. He is fit from a good run over hurdles here and won’t be far away.
Menaggio hasn’t had a lot to beat in two chases but did it nicely and is another who will appreciate this longer distance.
Shanagh Bob is Grade 2 standard over hurdles and something was surely wrong on his poor chase debut at Uttoxeter last month. It’s too early to write him off.
Rock My Way stayed three miles nicely at Doncaster and will be running on at the finish and could hit the frame despite his big weight.
LEICESTER
1.25
LATENIGHTRUMBLE took a big step forward when winning at Wetherby earlier this month.
He cruised into contention despite the soft ground and had plenty left in the tank. That was just his second chase run and there’s a lot more to come.
Superbolt ended a run of seconds with a convincing success at Ludlow 24 days ago. A 6lb rise for that seems fair enough and he stays so the hill will be fine. He goes on any ground and looks the main danger.
Peejaybee wasn’t disgraced at Catterick last time and will be happy with this stiffer stamina test. He’s a little high in the handicap but has an each-way shout.
Wild Side Of Life was backed off the boards before falling on chase debut at Musselburgh last month. He has obviously been showing something at home so watch for another market move.
3.10
HUNTER LEGEND improved last season and looked ready to win again when going close at Wincanton last time.
He has plenty of staying power for this stamina-sapping track and will enjoy any juice in the ground. Venetia Williams’ hope is on a fair mark and can score.
Sheldon may need this after a break but was a solid third the last time he ran here and saves his best for this distance.
Invincible Nao looked in need of the run at Sandown earlier this month and the Moore yard has been in good form.
He went close off this mark at Sandown in March and is best over this trip. He looks a big danger.
William Cody wasn’t disgraced at Southwell just 12 days ago and has won over this trip and track.
He’s a fair 4lb higher than his latest success which came at Huntingdon last month. Soft ground suits and he’ll try to nick this off the front under Paul O’Brien.
LEOPARDSTOWN
2.00
BOB OLINGER could be the answer to this tricky contest. He looked a bit rusty when beaten by Home By The Lee last time and meets him again better off at the weights.
He shapes as though this trip will suit and Henry De Bromhead is going well.
Home By The Lee is a threat again and took this in 2022 so we know staying won’t be an issue.
Asterion Forlonge was a good second to Teahupoo last time at the Punchestown Festival. His staying power is not in doubt but he usually finds one or two too good.
You can never rule out Hewick who won the King George at Kempton last time last year. He was a close second in a Grade 1 chase last time and has no stamina issues. He looks a fair each-way price.
Noble Yeats is an interesting contender having won the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January. His two runs since have been poor but this may be the time to catch the Emmet Mullins runner.
2.35
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS can show the upstarts who is boss back over something like his best trip.
Fact To File got the better of the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in the John Durkan last time but the 2m4f trip wasn’t to the eight-year-old’s liking.
It was a good effort to be beaten less than three lengths and he destroyed his rivals to take this 12 months ago.
Fact To File remains the main danger given how he stayed this trip when winning the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.
His last win proves he can mix it in open company and this is a fascinating battle that can go the way of Paul Townend’s mount.
Third place is very much up for grabs and Grand National winner I Am Maximus could be the one. He kicked off last season with a win and there’s certainly no doubting his staying power.
He has a 2m4f Grade 1 on his CV so the eight-year-old has some decent pace too.
Gentlemansgame got his act together when last seen at the Punchestown Festival, finishing fourth to Fastorslow in the Gold Cup. He has gone well fresh before and is in the podium hunt.
It would be no shock to see the enigmatic Conflated run well enough to trouble the tricast too. He didn’t enjoy the Cheltenham cross-country course latest but will be fitter for the run.
Templegate’s tips
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