Racing tips – Templegate gives you his best bets for Saturday’s racing from Ascot, Lingfield, Haydock, Taunton and Newcastle
Don't miss out on Templegate's best bets of the day where his nap of the day runs at Haydock in the 2.05
ASCOT
1.50
KOTKIKOVA should hit the target on her first race in Britain.
She was a Grade 1 chase winner when trained in France. There’s a fair chance she will improve a lot for her debut for Nicky Henderson when fifth behind top-class mare Vroum Vroum Mag at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Whiteout was a couple of places in front of her that day but I’m expecting Kotkikova to reverse the form with that run behind her.
Happy Diva has really struck form since stepping up in distance this season. She hardly broke sweat to land a Wetherby handicap last time and she should not be underestimated.
2.25
DRUMCLIFF will take some beating.
He beat useful Capitaine in a bumper and showed promise in novices’ hurdles. His handicap debut was much better and he was a little unlucky on his handicap debut. This half-brother to Simonsig was badly hampered two out and couldn’t recover enough to win.
There’s no doubt he’s well weighted.
Jaleo crashed out at the first hurdle when fancied for the Lanzarote last weekend. He should be involved if none the worse for his fall.
Gibralfaro is unexposed over this distance, while Adrien Du Pont and Le Rocher both have some good form behind them.
3.00
UN DE SCEAUX should double up in the Berkshire Community Foundation Clarence House Chase.
Willie Mullins’ Irish raider thrashed Gary Moore’s Sire De Grugy in this race 12 months ago.
He was that impressive when beating the same rival in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last month but he still got the job done.
Moore relies on Ar Mad today. He was a little unlucky to only finish fourth in the Tingle Creek after a shuddering error when setting a blistering pace. If he cuts out the mistakes he will make Un De Sceaux go but it’s not ideal regular rider Josh Moore is out injured. Brother Jamie takes over but he’s not won on Ar Mad in four attempts.
Dodging Bullets returns to his bets trip. He hasn’t won since landing the 2015 Champion Chase but would be the most likely to benefit if Ar Mad and Un De Sceaux went off too fast.
3.35
KYLEMORE LOUGH should have the last laugh.
He completed an astonishing five-timer last season with victory in a Fairyhouse Grade 1.
His runs this season have been rock-solid. With trainer Kerry Lee in good form I fancy him to carry top weight to victory.
Irish Saint is nicely treated. He is interesting returned to his best distance after a promising effort over three miles last time.
Shantou Flyer won well at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day on his first start for Rebecca Curtis. If he can back that effort up he would have to have a chance.
HAYDOCK
1.30
Make the bookies pay a Pol tax.
POLITOLOGUE has been impressive in winning both his chase starts. His jumping has been good and he had subsequent Grade 1 Kauto Star Chase hero Royal Vacation back in third when scoring at Ascot in December.
Its’afreebee is my fancy for the forecast. He handed out a beating to Cole Harden last month and he won twice at this track over hurdles.
I like Bun Doran but I’m not sure he’s up to this level quite yet.
2.05
NEON WOLF should light up this Grade 2 novices’ hurdle.
He’s unbeaten in a point-to-point, bumper and novices’ hurdle. The way he won at Exeter last time suggests he’s really smart and his proven stamina will come in handy with the ground likely to be testing.
Elgin doubled his hurdles tally when seeing off smart Flat racer Mohaayed at Kempton on Boxing Day. It’s not hard to pick holes in that form with the hot favourite Jenkins jumping so poorly. He’ll do well to give weight to the rest.
Craggaknock is also unbeaten in two hurdles starts. There was a lot to like about the way he won at Wetherby last time. Considering he was giving 7lb to the placed horses it was a decent performance with Master Of Finance back in fourth.
Crievehill needs to step up on his Lingfield handicap victory.
2.40
THE NEW ONE should get to keep the match ball in the Champion Hurdle Trial.
He’s landed this prize in each of the last two years and I’m expecting him to complete the hat-trick.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ ace saw off My Tent Or Yours from the front at Cheltenham in December and it was no disgrace to finish runner-up to Champion Hurdle hope Yanworth in Kempton’s Christmas Hurdle.
Today’s softer ground will suit The New One better and there’s nothing of Yanworth’s class in the field today.
Irving is good on his day. He battled on well to see off smart Irish mare Apple’s Jade in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November and the nice break since is in his favour.
L’Ami Serge was outstayed by Agrapart on bad ground at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. The drop in distance makes him a contender.
Cyrus Darius has been off the track since making a winning debut over fences 16 months ago.
3.15
Take the high Road in the Peter Marsh Chase.
BISHOPS ROAD looked really good when winning his first two starts after joining Kerry Lee from Ireland last season.
He slogged through the Haydock mud to land the Grand National Trial in February but strangely didn’t make it over the first fence in his next two starts.
There was a lot to like about his fourth behind Otago Trail, Bristol De Mai and Definitly Red at Newcastle in November. That was his first run of the season, today’s softer ground will help and he’s better off at the weights.
Otago Trail bombed out in Ireland over Christmas. That’s not hard to forgive and he remains a threat.
French import Alary was bought to run in the Gold Cup by Alan Potts. It will have to be some performance to win this off top weight on his first run for Colin Tizzard.
Virak and Vintage Clouds are others to keep an eye on.
TAUNTON
2.20
VERNI should burn them off.
He won well on his handicap debut in October and chased home smart prospect Clyne at Haydock last time. The return to decent ground won’t be a problem and the longer trip is in his favour.
Hint Of Mint was only nudged up a couple of pounds for his defeat of Man Of Plenty at this track just before Christmas. He’s still really well weighted on his best form.
Willow’s Saviour is also nicely treated but he’s not shown much this season.
3.30
Follow the Romain road.
ROMAIN DE SENAM was useful over hurdles and he’s run two respectable races since switching to fences. Today’s decent ground should help him get off the mark.
Ultragold tends to need things to drop right. If he runs up to the level of his Newbury win in November he would have a chance.
Pearls Legend would also be dangerous if left alone in front.
Ascot
12.40 Dino Velvet
1.15 More Buck’s
1.50 Kotkikova
2.25 Drumcliff
3.00 Un De Sceaux
3.35 Kylemore Lough
4.05 Sneaky Feeling
Haydock
12.55 Centurius
1.30 Politologue
2.05 Neon Wolf (nap)
2.40 The New One
3.15 Bishops Road
3.50 Granville Island
4.20 Splash Of Ginge (nb)
Lingfield
12.50 Franco’s Secret
1.25 Indian Dandy
2.00 Seven Clans
2.35 Rock Steady
3.10 Green Or Black
3.45 Al Yarmouk
4.15 Billyoakes
Newcastle
5.45 Golden Opportunity
6.15 School Run
6.45 Dynamo Walt
7.15 Rock Warbler
7.45 Star Of Spring
8.15 Lozah
8.45 Letbygonesbeicons
9.15 Green Howard
Taunton
1.10 The Unit
1.45 Sweettoothtommy
2.20 Verni
2.55 Misterton
3.30 Romain De Senam
4.00 Celestial Path
4.30 Clic Work (treble)
