Horse racing tips: Chester – Templegate’s betting preview for ITV’s racing TODAY
Chester comes under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for Friday's racing
HAVE some Fun in the 188Bet Chester Cup.
FUN MAC ran a belter from a poor stall when third behind Montaly in this race 12 months ago. The draw has been kinder to him this time and he has an excellent record when fresh.
1.50: Let me EXPLAIN how the first race is going to go.
Ruth Carr’s hope looks to have been lined up for this race after two starts this year. He won twice at this track last season and is only a couple of pounds higher than the last of those in September.
Above The Rest is another contender with plenty of course form. He finished tailed off last in a Leicester Listed contest last time and I’m expecting much better on today’s quicker ground.
Last year’s winner Sound Advice is nicely treated. He obviously likes it around here and he’s copped a great draw. The worry is he’s never won on his seasonal comeback.
Calder Prince would have claims but stall 15 is no good.
NAK'S IN GOOD NICK Iain Jardine's Nakeeta ready to roll in Friday's Chester Cup
2.25: EMINENT will be hard to beat in the Huxley Stakes.
He’s won all three of his races outside Group 1 contests and he was competitive at the top level.
The Derby trip just stretched his stamina when fourth over 1m4f at Epsom and he went on to hit the frame in the Irish Champion Stakes.
This distance is his best and he’s likely to be back in the top 1m2f contests after today.
Forest Ranger turned over Deauville in a Newmarket Group 3 last month. There looked no fluke about that but I’m not convinced today’s tight track will suit him.
Frankuus only beat one home in that race but he might be dangerous if granted an easy lead.
Templegate's TV Tips
1.50 Chester - Explain: 'Looks to have been lined up for this race and has good course form already'
2.25 Chester - Eminent: 'This looks his optimum trip and he should be a class above these'
3.00 Chester - Not So Sleepy: 'Has track form and is worth chancing in this field'
3.35 Chester - Fun Mac: 'Cracking record when fresh and was unlucky in this race last year'
3.00: Wake up to NOT SO SLEEPY’S chance.
He needs a strong pace to help him settle and he should get plenty of cover from stall two.
It’s worth chancing Hughie Morrison’s hope on his win at Epsom on Oaks Day last year and he’s got track form having landed the Dee Stakes here three years ago.
Dark Red won this race two years ago. He’s fairly treated on his third to smart Lord Glitters in a hot Ascot handicap on Champions Day. And must have a chance with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
Roger Varian is struggling to find the key to Battersea and I’d be surprised if this distance helped him unlock his potential.
Cosmeapolitan has the ability to take a race like this. He usually travels really well but fails to find off the bridle. This track might just help.
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3.35: Tuck into big Mac in the Chester Cup.
FUN MAC has a great record when fresh. Hughie Morrison’s stayer was a little unlucky when third in this race last year as he found trouble from a poor draw.
He’s copped a decent stall in box five and he’s nicely weighted.
I was tempted to chance Grandee. He steps up from 1m4f for the first time and he has got plenty of stamina in his pedigree. His Ripon second last month was his first start since joining David O’Meara from Ireland and he should improve for it.
Magic Circle was fifth in last year’s Chester Cup from an appalling draw. He went on to win at York and finish fifth behind Nakeeta in the Ebor. He’s joined Ian Williams from Ralph Beckett and he should be a force if ready to go.
Time To Study and Prince Of Arran are others to keep an eye on.
ASCOT
5.25 Soghan
6.00 Shades Of Blue
6.35 Corgi
7.05 Fennaan
7.40 Dreamfield
8.10 Highlight Reel (treble)
CHESTER
1.50 Explain
2.25 Eminent
3.00 Not So Sleepy
3.35 Fun Mac (nap)
4.05 Sir Maximilian
4.40 Kazawi
5.15 American Gigolo
LINGFIELD
1.40 Green Or Black
2.15 Morning Beauty
2.50 Glory Fighter
3.25 Rebecca Rocks
3.55 Maghaweer
4.30 Salute The Soldier
5.05 Del Parco
MARKET RASEN
1.30 Aardwolf
2.05 Pickamix
2.40 Emmas Dilemma
3.15 El Presente
3.45 Bentons Lad
4.20 Wells Gold
4.55 Too Much Too Soon
5.30 Potters Tale
NOTTINGHAM
5.10 Devils Roc
5.40 Raa Atoll
6.15 Adorable
6.45 Daira Prince (nb)
7.20 Beatbybeatbybeat
7.50 Arendelle
8.25 Indian Pursuit
RIPON
5.50 Cambeleza
6.25 Rita’s Man
6.55 Stanhope
7.30 Mordin
8.00 Uptown Funk
8.35 Hula Girl