Templegate’s horse racing tips: Cheltenham and Doncaster live on ITV – Top betting preview for TODAY’S TV racing
Cheltenham and Doncaster come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
CHELTENHAM
1.55
GET your heavy punting artillery out for WAR SOUND in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
Philip Hobbs’ hope was once considered a Champion Hurdle contender but problems stunted his progress.
He struggled in small fields switched to fences last season when his trainer was out of form but he looked to have all his old class when bolting up at Aintree last month.
His jumping was good and I reckon he has everything it takes to land this prize under champion jockey Richard Johnson.
Baron Alco made all the running to see off Frodon in the BetVictor Gold Cup at this track last month.
Only three horses have followed up in this race and he would not want to get into a battle for the early lead with Foxtail Hill.
Rather Be was moving well when brought down four fences from home in the BetVictor. He must have a chance but he’s at his very best when returning from a break.
Mr Medic is the other one I like. He jumping really well when stretching his chasing record to five wins from eight starts at Ascot last month.
The handicapper was clearly watching but Robert Walford’s hope has still got a lovely weight.
There’s plenty of rain forecast. If it turns the ground testing last year’s BetVictor winner Splash Of Ginge would have a chance at a big price.
Guitar Pete was a bit lucky to win this last year but his third behind Baron Alco and Frodon in the BetVictor sets him up nicely for this. His trainer Nicky Richards is in great form.
GET ON TREND Who will win the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham this Saturday?
2.30
HAVE a proper bet on AYE AYE CHARLIE. He’s got stacks of experience having run with credit in some of the hottest novices’ hurdles last season.
His fourth behind Black Op in a Grade 1 at Aintree’s Grand National meeting is smart and the step up to 3m for the first time will suit this half-brother to dour stayer Chase The Spud.
Fergal O’Brien’s ace was long odds-on when breaking his duck at Kelso last month having been beaten favourite on his reappearance.
That form has worked out well as the winner went on to run Doux Pretender close at Ascot.
That makes the pair of them closely matched. Doux Pretender is progressing well and he’s another who will like this distance. His 3lbs penalty isn’t ideal but he has to be respected.
Danny Whizzbang hit the target on his first start for Paul Nicholls. He’s clearly a lovely prospect but I usually prefer to side with experience in races like this.
Supremely Lucky won nicely at Southwell when upped to 3m. He was ridden off the pace and he’ll like it if the leaders go off hard.
3.05
USE your Brain in the Unibet International Hurdle. BRAIN POWER just hasn’t looked to be enjoying it over fences so I’m expecting him to be much better returned to hurdles.
He was only 13-2 for Buveur D’Air’s first Champion Hurdle win in 2017 having bolted up in a hot Ascot handicap. Although he didn’t run all that well it shows the potential he has.
My only concern is that his best form has come on right-handed tracks but he hasn’t had all that many chances going this way round.
Summerville Boy did incredibly well to overcome mistakes at the last two jumps when winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at last season’s Festival.
It was disappointing to see him trail in well beaten in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle on his return but he was up against Buveur D’Air and Samcro.
The small field wouldn’t have suited him that day and this is easier. Any rain would help Tom George’s ace.
The New One is interesting. He’s going for his fourth win in this race – he was also runner-up 12 months ago – and he has a visor on for the first time.
He was too keen when well beaten in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on his return to action and he should run much better today.
We Have A Dream was among the top juveniles last season but he’s found life tough this season. There’s a fair chance he’s been over-rated on last term’s form.
Vision Des Flos could surprise but Old Guard tends to find this trip a bit sharp these days.
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3.40
DON’T bash the Rat in the OLBG.com Mares’ Hurdle. RATOUTE YUTTY won her final start in Ireland before joining Dan Skelton.
There was heaps of promise in her first run for her new yard when fourth behind smart novice Didtheyleaveuoutto in a hot Ascot contest.
Ridden way off the pace before staying on nicely she looks to have been handed a tasty weight by the handicapper.
Definitelyanoscar is progressing really well in novices’ hurdles. There was a lot to like about last month’s Warwick win and she could certainly started life in handicaps with a bit more weight.
She looks the big danger. Sensulano was brave to see off Petticoat Tails in a driving finish at Ascot last month when Oscar Rose was back in fourth. She would love to see a good drop of rain.
Petticoat Tails is weighted to reverse that form but she had fitness on her side at Ascot.
DONCASTER
2.10
Go for IRISH ROE at her favourite venue. She made it two wins from two visits over this track and trip when landing this race 12 months ago.
Her close course second behind Maria’s Benefit in a mares’ Grade 2 the following month was even better and she’s been in good form this season.
She was third behind Lady Buttons in a Listed race at Wetherby on her comeback run and she was still travelling well when she crashed out at the last in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. I really fancy her chances.
Chieftain’s Choice made all the running to win over today’s course and distance a couple of weeks ago. He could easily get his own way out in front again and he’s still fairly treated despite a hefty rise in the weights.
Cliffs Of Dover won the Summit Juvenile Hurdle on this card two years ago. He’s got a stack of ability but he does need to calm down a bit.
He pulled far too hard when well beaten on his return to hurdles after a summer spent Flat racing. Solomon Grey could be the danger on his first run of the season.
He won a Market Rasen handicap when last seen having finished third behind useful If The Cap Fits in a good novice race at Kempton on Boxing Day.
It’s hard to imagine Dan Skelton won’t have him ready for this.
Templegate's TV tips
- 1.55 Cheltenham - War Sound
- 2.10 Doncaster - Irish Roe
- 2.30 Cheltenham - Aye Aye Charlie
- 2.45 Doncaster - Quel Destin
- 3.05 Cheltenham - Brain Power
- 3.20 Doncaster - Go Conquer
- 3.40 Cheltenham - Ratoute Yutty
2.45
QUEL DESTIN should complete a hat-trick of wins in the Bet365 Summit Juvenile Hurdle.
Paul Nicholls’ youngster easily landed the odds at Kempton in October before stepping up in grade to beat Cracker Factory in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last month.
He’ll have no problem with the decent ground and he looks just the type of juvenile to keep improving. His jumping is sound and so is his attitude.
He won’t be a big price but he looks a really solid bet. Cracker Factory has just over a length to make up on his old rival.
He’d already won four hurdles races when he met Quel Destin at Cheltenham so it’s hard to imagine he’s got the necessary improvement in him to reverse the form.
I’m not sure the flatter track will suit him as well, either. Alan King also runs Elysees.
He followed up his Warwick victory with a hard-fought success at Ludlow. He’ll need further in time and might just lack the toe to get past the likely favourite today.
Oi The Clubb Oi’s is interesting. He’s got a bit to find with my fancy on the formbook but he is shaping into a nice hurdler.
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3.20
WHACK the bookies on their Conq. Slick-jumping GO CONQUER loves decent ground.
He made a decent debut for Nigel Twiston-Davies having left Jonjo O’Neill when third behind Traffic Fluide at Ascot early last month.
It’s true that, despite the small field, he does face competition for the lead from Midnight Shot and Straidnahanna but his sound jumping should make sure he keeps his head in front.
O O Seven hasn’t won for the best part of two years but the wet winter last season was no good for him.
He still ran some solid races and he’s nicely treated on his fourth in the 2017 Topham Trophy over the Grand National fences.
He tends to go well when fresh so today could easily be the day to catch him. There’s no doubt he’s a big danger.
Lofgren returns to 3m after a laboured comeback run over 2m3f. He’ll like the extra distance but this might just be a bit too hot for him.
CHELTENHAM
12.10 Fret D’Estruval
12.45 The Russian Doyen
1.20 Bun Doran
1.55 War Sound
2.30 Aye Aye Charlie (treble)
3.05 Brain Power
3.40 Ratoute Yutty (nb)
DONCASTER
11.50 Kings Inn
12.25 Newtown Boy
1.00 Value At Risk
1.35 Rocky’s Treasure
2.10 Irish Roe (nap)
2.45 Quel Destin
3.20 Go Conquer
HEREFORD
12.00 Victarion
12.35 Star Of Lanka
1.10 Pulling Power
1.45 Style De Garde
2.20 Jam Session
2.55 Jully Les Buxy
3.30 Logan Rocks
NEWCASTLE
12.20 Something Brewing
12.55 Festival Of Ages
1.30 Persian Sun
2.05 Pammi
2.40 Para Mio
3.15 Fabulist
3.50 Tough Remedy
4.20 Windforpower
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.15 Fairway To Heaven
5.45 Storm Lightning
6.15 Reflektor
6.45 I’m A Believer
7.15 Well Suited
7.45 Papa Stour
8.15 Stand N Deliver
8.45 Rock Bottom