TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s racing confident of getting a monster weekend off to a blistering start.
The Guineas meeting kicks off at Newmarket while Willie Mullins’ awesome Gallagher winner Ballyburn runs again over in Ireland.
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BOILING POINT (3.35 Newmarket, nap)
Roger Varian’s son of Too Darn Hot has already gone close at Group level so should be too classy in the Listed King Charles II Stakes. He was brought along nice and slowly last season with a couple of good maiden efforts before getting off the mark at Thirsk in September. He relished this seven-furlong trip in North Yorkshire to tee up a crack at the Tattersall Stakes over this course and distance. Despite having a few runs under his belt, he still looked green before hitting top speed inside the final furlong. He was just edged out in a photo with Alyanaabi who was then a good second to City Of Troy in the Dewhurst. That form looks rock solid and Boiling Point blew away the cobwebs with a runner-up effort here last month. He should improve fitness-wise for that comeback and land his second career win.
TEST OF LOVE (7.20 Newcastle, nb)
Sir Mark Prescott has made a solid start to the turf season and can land another winner here. The selection didn’t do a lot in three maidens last season and looked much improved when going down in a tight finish on handicap debut at Pontefract 11 days ago. Canny Sir Mark runs him here before a 4lb rise in the weights kicks in and he looks open to lots of improvement.
TIME LOCK (4.10 Newmarket, treble)
Landed two nice wins last season including the Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes over this course and distance in September. That was enough for this Frankel mare to have a crack at an Ascot Group 1 where she held her own at the end of a long campaign. Trainer Harry Charlton is in good form and she can score on comeback.
Templegate’s Punchestown verdicts
4.15
WILLIE Mullins has taken seven of the past eight runnings and can strike again with MISTER POLICEMAN.
He has had just four runs over fences and won nicely here in February before taking a Thurles Grade 3 without breaking too much sweat.
The handicapper was watching and has given him an opening mark of 149 but it would be no surprise to see him improve way past that.
Stablemate Tactical Move went close in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time over this trip.
He was flashing his tail, which isn’t often a good sign, but he still showed plenty of promise.
Perceval Legallois probably would have won at Leopardstown last time but for a fall at the final fence. He can figure again provided that hasn’t left too much of a mark.
4.50
BRIDES HILL has been a much improved model this season and was an easy Listed winner at Huntingdon last time for Gavin Cromwell.
She has won both her races in Ireland too with a Listowel cakewalk followed by a good handicap success at Fairyhouse. This is her toughest assignment yet but she has every chance.
Allegorie De Vassy wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the mares’ chase at Cheltenham. She likes this trip but could do with some rain to soften up the ground.
Calcio is worth a market check returning from six months off for Gordon Elliott. She was last seen running over hurdles in America but will prefer this challenge.
6.00
STATE MAN may not be the flashiest hurdler around but he never looked like being beaten in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last time.
In the absence of the recovering Constitution Hill, he’s the best around and can defend this title he won by three lengths.
Irish Point chased him home at Prestbury Park and can fill the runner-up spot again. This better ground will help him and he looks to have improved over the past 12 months.
Sir Gerhard’s last win came over this trip at Cork in March and he was far from disgraced behind Impaire Et Passe at Sandown on Saturday.
He’ll have to go some to catch the big two. Colonel Mustard was 11 lengths behind State Man in the Champion Hurdle and it’s likely to be a similar story again.
6.35
BALLYBURN was arguably the most impressive Cheltenham Festival winner when he took the Baring Bingham by 13 easy lengths.
That was over a similar trip and the only difference is the ground which will be quicker here.
It shouldn’t be a problem as he won his bumper at last year’s Festival on good to soft and he can land another nice prize.
Jetara gets a mares’ weight allowance which could make a difference in the race for second. She has a couple of placed efforts at this level and stays strongly.
Mirazur West was an easy Grade 2 winner at Fairyhouse a month ago.
He picked up really nicely despite the testing ground and should have no problem seeing out this extra half-mile.
Templegate’s tips
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