Templegate’s horse racing tips: Cheltenham and Bangor live on ITV – Top betting preview for TODAY’S TV racing

Cheltenham

1.55

Get straight to the point with SKEWIFF.

She ran plenty of good races over hurdles and there was a lot of promise in her Exeter chase debut last month.

An early mistake gave her a bit of ground to make up and the 3m trip probably didn’t help. I’m expecting her to improve a good bit for that effort and she’ll like this drop in distance.

Midnight Target beat The Bay Birch in a Listed chase over today’s course and distance in the spring.

There was nothing wrong with her Kempton return to action and she should be spot on now.

Troubled Soul went up to Kelso to end a three-year losing run last month and this is a much deeper race.

Gordon Elliott always has to be respected but his Synopsis is better on testing ground.

2.30

ROCK THE KASBAH is ready for this clash.

He’s always been a smart horse and he signed off last season with a good second behind Step Back in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

My fancy improved from his comeback run to win a good race at this track last month when the likes of Singlefarmpayment, Cogry and Doing Fine were all behind.

Coo Star Sivola enjoyed his finest hour when landing the Ultima Chase at the Festival. He’s not been at this best so far this term and softer ground would have been ideal.

Kerrow didn’t deserve to fall at the last when about to make a winning comeback from a long break at Bangor. He clearly retains plenty of his old ability.

3.05

AMAZING COMEDY should have us laughing all the way to the bank.

This French raider led them down to the last over this unique course at the 2017 Festival before weakening into sixth behind Cause Of Causes.

That was at level weights and this handicap gives last month’s Compiegne cross-country race winner a fine chance. It must help that Felix de Giles is in the saddle.

Bless The Wings won this race 12 months ago having finished in front of Amazing Comedy at the Festival the previous season.

He was well behind Josies Orders and Fact Of The Matter when they filled the first two places over this track last month.

3.40

AARON LAD should deliver in the Citipost Handicap Hurdle.

He won a couple of times last season and looks even better this term. His comeback sixth over today’s course and distance in October was a good starting point and he was well on top when winning at Market Rasen last month. A lbs rise shouldn’t stop him.

Worthy Farm was successful on his handicap debut at Taunton but I didn’t think that was a great race.

He’s capable of improvement but he’ll need to win this.

Great Trango and Dans Le Vent are others to keep an eye on.

2.10 BANGOR

Take a chance on SALMANAZAR.

He showed glimpses of his old class last season after missing the best part of two years and is potentially well weighted.

With Alan King doing the training I’m not worried about his firtness.

Atomic Rumble is entitled to step forward for his comeback run at Ascot. He won twice in the summer but this ground might be a bit soft for him.

Crixus’s Escape won twice at Hexham before losing all chance with a slithering mistake last month. He’s interesting.

Bangor

11.50 Blue Bullet

12.25 Knocknamona

1.00 Achille

1.35 The Herds Garden

2.10 Salmanazar

2.45 The Some Dance Kid

3.20 Welsh Saint

Cheltenham

12.10 Elixir de Nutz

12.45 The Worlds End

1.20 Highest Sun

1.55 Skewiff

2.30 Rock The Kasbah (nap)

3.05 Amazing Comedy (nb)

3.40 Aaron Lad

Doncaster

12.00 Minella For Me

12.35 Nadaitak

1.10 Gowiththeflow

1.45 Canyon City

2.20 Sir Mangan

2.55 Pique Rock

3.30 Espoir De Loire

Kempton

5.15 Spenny’s Lass

5.45 Café Espresso

6.15 Midnight Vixen

6.45 Pinnata

7.15 Reticent Angel

7.45 Caspar The Cub (treble)

8.15 Espresso Freddo

8.45 Treacherous