Horse racing tips: Ascot, Haydock, Newcastle and Lingfield – Templegate’s betting preview for ITV4’s racing on Saturday, December 23
Ascot, Haydock, Newcastle and Lingfield come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
ASCOT
1.50
HAVE a few Bob on Nicky Henderson’s runner.
POUGNE BOBBI looked good when bolting up on soft ground at Ludlow last season.
He had excuses for his subsequent two races and should improve for his first run of the season at Ascot last time.
Soft ground suit him well and the drop to 2m2f shouldn’t harm his chance.
Rock On Rocky landed a hat-trick last season. He showed he has still got races in him when chasing home useful Overtown Express at Newbury last time.
A repeat of that effort should see him in the frame.
Theo’s Charm ran a cracker when third behind Sam Spinner in a hot hurdle race at Haydock last month.
The return to fences shouldn’t bother him but this trip is on the short side for him.
Mr Medic and Poker School would have preferred better ground.
2.25
UNOWHATIMEANHARRY is a knock out bet in the JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle.
He suffered just his second defeat since joining Harry Fry when runner-up to shock winner Beer Goggles at Newbury last time.
That result is hard to work out but it was still far from a bad run. I’m expecting him to get back on track today.
Thomas Campbell is a danger having looked most progressive in handicaps. This should tell us if he’s up to this grade but there’s a fair chance he is.
It’s hard to say Lil Rockerfeller doesn’t stay this far as he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.
But he still hasn’t won over further than the 2m3f he was successful over at this track last time.
Sam Spinner had The World’s End behind when he destroyed his rivals from the front in a Haydock handicap on testing ground last month.
The World’s End – giving 10lbs to the winner that day – ran well up to a point. He was last season’s top staying hurdler and is interesting with that run behind him.
L’Ami Serge has won over today’s distance in France but I’m not sure it’s what this strong-traveller needs over here.
He’s weighted to reverse last month’s form with Lil Rockerfeller but I’m not convinced he will.
MOST READ
3.00
MAKE the bookies Pay.
SINGLEFARMPAYMENT was creeping into the race when taking a tumble at the third-last in the Ladbrokes Trophy.
It’s impossible to say where he would have finished but I suspect he would have been third. That’s good form and the likely strong pace should help Tom George’s hope.
Last year’s winner Regal Encore finished third in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time. He’s not easy to predict and I wouldn’t want to bank on him repeating that effort.
Go Conquer is sure to be one of those up there making the running. He jumps really well but the softer ground is a slight concern and he will face competition for the lead.
Gold Present is the one I fear most. He flew home to get up close home when winning over 2m6f at Newbury three weeks ago. It’s hard to imagine today’s extra two furlongs will trouble him.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Ascot - Pougne Bobbi: 'Soft ground suits him well and the drop to 2m2f shouldn’t harm his chance'
2.10 Haydock - Limited Reserve: 'This looks an easier race than his last victory and I expect him to win'
2.25 Ascot - Unowhatimeanharry: 'Suffered a shock defeat last time but I'm expecting him to get back on track'
2.45 Haydock - Catamaran Du Seuil: 'If his jumping stands up then he must have a big chance here'
3.00 Ascot - Singlefarmpayment: 'Has good form and the likely strong pace will only help him here'
3.35 Ascot - Elgin: 'Plenty to like about this progressive hurdler and he was impressive in the Greatwood last time'
3.35
GO to town on ELGIN.
There’s been a lot to like about Alan King’s progressive young hurdler this season. He was a decent novice last term but has really hit form in recent weeks.
My fancy had Air Horse One, Verdana Blue and Caid Du Lin behind when landing a good race over course and distance in November.
He followed up in style by seeing off a quality field in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last time. A 6lbs rise for that success is not harsh and he looks a fair bet to defy top weight.
Air Horse One ran his usual honest race when third to Old Guard at Newbury last time. His consistency means he keeps going up in the weights despite not winning.
Silver Streak looked to have improved over the summer when bolting up at Chepstow in October. The soft ground is his main worry.
The same could be said of Verdana Blue. She was nearly brought down at the first so it was a good effort to recover well enough to win over today’s track and trip last time.
I’ve no doubt she has more races in her but they are likely to be on drier ground.
Nicky Henderson also runs Charli Parcs. He made a sound return to action at Newbury but last year’s juveniles did not look a great bunch.
HAYDOCK
2.10
MAKE sure you’ve got plenty in Reserve for Christmas.
LIMITED RESERVE seemed to love the heavy ground when beating a quality field over today’s course and distance last month.
An 8lbs rise in the weights looks fair and this is an easier race. I expect him to win.
Kk Lexion should give him most to think about. He was given an overly-aggressive ride when a good third at Cheltenham in October and he probably found three miles too far behind smart Thomas Campbell last time.
He’s won on soft but he might find the lack of pace against him.
Zalvados has some decent placed form in the book but he’s yet to win over hurdles.
His fourth behind Magic Dancer at Cheltenham last month was a personal best but it is worrying he can’t close the deal.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Ascot - Pougne Bobbi: 'Soft ground suits him well and the drop to 2m2f shouldn’t harm his chance'
2.10 Haydock - Limited Reserve: 'This looks an easier race than his last victory and I expect him to win'
2.25 Ascot - Unowhatimeanharry: 'Suffered a shock defeat last time but I'm expecting him to get back on track'
2.45 Haydock - Catamaran Du Seuil: 'If his jumping stands up then he must have a big chance here'
3.00 Ascot - Singlefarmpayment: 'Has good form and the likely strong pace will only help him here'
3.35 Ascot - Elgin: 'Plenty to like about this progressive hurdler and he was impressive in the Greatwood last time'
2.45
CATAMARAN DU SEUIL should sail home.
He overcame a few mistakes to nail useful stayer Knockanrawley close home at Ayr in November.
It’s not hard to imagine the race came too soon when he was only fourth behind Welsh National fancy Chase The Spud at Haydock ten days later.
That was a brutal race and easy to put a line through. If his jumping stands up he should have a great chance.
Three Faces West has done well since Philip Hobbs slapped cheekpieces on him. There was a lot to like about his return to action when third behind Perfect Candidate at Cheltenham and he looks the big danger.
I was tempted to chance Broadway Buffalo. He hasn’t been seen since chasing home Bishop’s Road in the Grand National Trial at this track nearly two years ago.
These are his conditions but the trip is on the sharp side. Full Irish and Vic De Touzaine are others in with a shout.
ASCOT
12.40 Forgetthesmalltalk
1.15 Adrien Du Pont
1.50 Pougne Bobbi
2.25 Unowhatimeanharry
3.00 Singlefarmpayment (nap)
3.35 Elgin
HAYDOCK
11.50 Isaacstown Lad
12.25 Born Survivor
1.00 Cap Soleil
1.35 Eamon An Cnoic
2.10 Limited Reserve (nb)
2.45 Catamaran Du Seuil
3.20 Cap Du Nord
LINGFIELD
12.00 Now Say Yes
12.35 Singyoursong
1.10 Yogi’s Girl
1.45 Utmost
2.20 Mr Pocket
2.55 Ming Dynasty
3.30 Iley Boy
NEWCASTLE
11.45 Snapdragon Fire
12.15 Celtic Flames
12.50 Our Valentina
1.25 Teddy Tee (treble)
2.00 Bering Upsun
2.35 Dubai Angel
3.10 He’s A Goer