Horse racing tips: Sandown, Musselburgh, Wetherby, Kempton and Lingfield – Templegate’s betting preview for ITV4’s racing on Saturday, February 3
Sandown, Musselburgh, Wetherby, Kempton and Lingfield come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
SANDOWN
1.50
NOTHING should trouble the Champ in the Contenders Hurdle.
BUVEUR D’AIR has only been beaten once over hurdles. He saw off stablemate My Tent Or Yours to win the Champion Hurdle last season having used this contest as his prep-race.
He bolted up in it 12 months ago and I can’t see anything but the same result today having easily won this Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle this season.
The race for second place is equally uncompetitive with John Constable – dual handicap winner in the summer – miles ahead of no hoper Cap’N.
2.25
THE bookies should be Terre-fied of the Scilly Isles Chase.
French import TERREFORT made a stunning British debut when cruising home at Huntingdon three weeks ago.
The form of that novices’ handicap is not strong but it was the manner of victory that was so impressive. His jumping looked good so today’s track should play to his strengths.
Kalondra is the one I fear most. He’s taken well to fences and there was a lot to like about the way he won at Cheltenham in December. I’m sure he’s smart.
Cyrname is another progressing well. He won the Grade 2 Wayward Lad Chase in good style at Kempton over Christmas.
That was not the strongest of races for the class but he is clearly capable of decent form.
3.00
AIM for the Top in the Betfred Heroes Hurdle.
I’m sure TOPOFTHEGAME will develop into a top chaser but there’s good hurdle races to be won with this massive horse.
He was a decent novice last season but he fell when tried over fences at Newbury.
The 2m5f and tight Kempton turns were too sharp for him in the Lanzarote so it was great to see him run so well when fourth behind William Henry.
Today’s step up in trip and stiff track should be ideal.
There are no end of dangers. Melrose Boy was 1-10 when winning at Fontwell but his earlier third behind smart novice Mr Whipped gives him a chance.
Dashing Perk, Flemcara and Golan Fortune are others in the form of their lives, while Ubak takes a drop in grade.
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3.35
IT’LL be wham, bam thank you Sam after the Betfred Mobiles Masters Chase.
SAMETEGAL has been consistent in good races around 2m4f since returning from 18 months off the track. He steps up to three miles for the first time.
It’s not certain that he’ll stay it but – if he does – I think he will win. It’s certainly worth taking that chance.
Final Nudge is the obvious one. He was only denied by a head by Present Man in the Badger Ales Trophy on his return and his third in the Welsh National was a grand effort.
Bishops Road bombed out in that Chepstow marathon but he has claims on his best form.
Vino Griego is another to keep an eye on at a big price but Warwick Classic Chase runner-up Cogry might struggle dropped in distance.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Sandown - Buveur D'Air: 'Should have no trouble in winning this'
2.05 Musselburgh - Amour De Nuit: 'Had excuses and likes this ground'
2.25 Sandown - Terrefort: 'Stunning on his British debut and looks very talented'
2.40 Wetherby - Vintage Clouds: 'Stamina and experience will come in handy'
3.00 Sandown - Topofthegame: 'Decent run last time in the Lanzarote despite the track not suiting'
3.15 Musselburgh - Delusionofgrandeur: 'Ready for this marathon trip'
3.35 Sandown - Sametegal: 'If he stays, I think he wins'
MUSSELBURGH
2.05
I’M loving the chance of AMOUR DE NUIT.
He likes decent ground and has been consistent over hurdles. His brace of autumn wins came in novice races but he’s been far from disgraced in handicaps.
He wasn’t beaten far by smart High Bridge at Newbury and the steady pace was all against him at Doncaster last time.
The small field is a slight concern but Forth Bridge – winner of the Triumph Hurdle Trial at this meeting 12 months ago – should make sure there’s a sound pace.
Charlie Longsdon’s runner is interesting on that form but he hasn’t shown much this season.
Sir Chauvelin loves this place. He notched up his third course win on New Year’s Day but his jumping is a slight concern upped in the weights.
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3.15
THERE’S a Grand bet in the Edinburgh National.
DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR is ready for the step up to a marathon distance. He won well from the front at Catterick before running a cracker in Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick on Boxing Day.
That form – when he was beaten just half a length in third – could not have worked out much better.
Mister Don has been a bit frustrating but he put a run of placed efforts behind him when scoring at Doncaster in December. The good ground will be right up his street.
Missed Approach is a thorough stayer but I’m not sure he wants today’s better ground.
Southfield Theatre is well weighted on his best form but there has to be a doubt whether he ever returns to that level.
WETHERBY
2.40
I’VE got me head in the Clouds for the Towton Novices’ Chase.
This could be a war with the ground so testing so both VINTAGE CLOUDS' stamina and experience will come in handy.
Sue Smith’s hope had some smart form last season without winning. That means he’s still a novice and he looks improved this term.
He bolted up on his return to action at Aintree and his Haydock second to Clan Des Obeaux is smart form.
Finishing fourth in the Welsh National was another sound effort and he should grind this out.
Ballyoptic made a winning chase debut at Exeter and has since twice been beaten by Black Corton. He has the form to go close but Nigel Twiston-Davies is not in the best of form.
Captain Chaos followed up his Aintree success when scoring over today’s course and distance. His best form has come from the front and it won’t be easy taking Vintage Clouds on.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Sandown - Buveur D'Air: 'Should have no trouble in winning this'
2.05 Musselburgh - Amour De Nuit: 'Had excuses and likes this ground'
2.25 Sandown - Terrefort: 'Stunning on his British debut and looks very talented'
2.40 Wetherby - Vintage Clouds: 'Stamina and experience will come in handy'
3.00 Sandown - Topofthegame: 'Decent run last time in the Lanzarote despite the track not suiting'
3.15 Musselburgh - Delusionofgrandeur: 'Ready for this marathon trip'
3.35 Sandown - Sametegal: 'If he stays, I think he wins'
KEMPTON
5.45 Instigator
6.15 Ripp Orf
6.45 The British Lion
7.15 Morning Has Broken
7.45 Humbert
8.15 Kath’s Legacy
LINGFIELD
12.50 Paparazzi
1.25 Author’s Dream
2.00 Lancelot Du Lac
2.35 Brother Tiger
3.05 Intern
3.40 Roundabout Kitten
4.15 American Gigolo
MUSSELBURGH
12.55 Another Stowaway
1.30 Keeper Hill (nb)
2.05 Amour De Nuit
2.45 Baby King
3.15 Delusionofgrandeur
3.45 Kelpies Myth
4.20 Wonderful Charm
SANDOWN
12.40 Countister
1.15 Dolos
1.50 Buveur D’Air
2.25 Terrefort
3.00 Topofthegame (treble)
3.35 Sametegal
4.10 Colonial Dreams
WETHERBY
1.00 Northern Beau
1.35 Knockgraffon
2.10 Robin Waters
2.40 Vintage Clouds (nap)
3.20 Red Rising
3.55 Top Wood
4.30 Informateur