TEMPLEGATE takes on the last Saturday of racing before Cheltenham confident of building the bank for the Festival.
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MEETMEBYTHESEA (1.50 Sandown, nap)
He can kick off what should be a massive week for owner JP McManus who has a host of chances at the Cheltenham Festival. This five-year-opened his account with two good victories around Ludlow before matching that form at Doncaster last time. The handicapper could have been harsher than the opening mark of 128 with top-quality claimer Callum Pritchard taking off a handy 5lb. Trainer Ben Pauling is in good form and can follow up last year’s win in this tough contest.
BATMAN GIRAC (2.25 Sandown, nb)
Willie Mullins sends him over for a crack at this Imperial Cup and the £100,000 bonus for following up at Cheltenham. It’s the first time in a decade that the champion trainer has fired a dart at this race and this five-year-old has Grade 1 form on his CV. He took a tumble at Leopardstown last time when going really well and is capable of bouncing back.
FINAL VOYAGE (2.45 Wolverhampton, treble)
He was a close-up second in this race 12 months ago and has been laid out for another crack by trainer Johnny Murtagh. He went close at Dundalk last time and the excellent Billy Loughnane is in the saddle.
Templegate’s big race verdicts
SANDOWN
1.50
MEETMEBYTHESEA can strike on this handicap debut after three excellent runs at novice level.
He had little trouble in seeing off The Kemble Brewery at Ludlow in December before returning to score there again last time.
He has an excellent 5lb claimer in Callum Pritchard on board and shapes as though this longer trip will be ideal for Sunracing’s Ben Pauling who won this last year.
He can kick off what should be a massive week for owner JP McManus with a win.
Paul Nicholls has a good recent record in this and his Belliano was impressive at Market Rasen last time.
He is a proven stayer who should be in the mix under Harry Cobden.
The Kemble Brewery hasn’t run since being beaten by my fancy but he’s another who should improve for this stiffer test of stamina. Top weight doesn’t help though.
George’s Lad stayed on strongly when scoring at Doncaster last time and looks pretty solid each-way for Emma Lavelle.
Kepler’s Law won well at Leicester and looks the pick of the huge prices.
2.25
BATMAN GIRAC has held his own at Grade 1 level and was right in contention for a red-hot handicap at Leopardstown latest before falling.
Willie Mullins wouldn’t send him over if he hadn’t recovered from that and he looks on a fair handicap mark.
Spirits Bay ran well behind Constitution Hill last time after some good handicap efforts.
He likes this trip and is another who could be ahead of the handicapper.
Go Dante won this 12 months ago and has been laid out for a repeat.
He is 2lb lower this time around and his form should improve plenty today.
Bo Zenith has had his problems but he was beaten in a photo for a Grade 1 at his best and needed the run at Ascot last time. He has enough quality to figure.
3.00
CHARISMA CAT finished like a train when second in this grade at Market Rasen last time.
She was forced back onto the worst ground at a crucial stage and the line came a few strides too soon. She can make amends here.
Dream Shadow was a place back in third there and can follow the tip home again.
Supreme Malinas came home strongly when third at Windsor last time. She is proven in this grade and has place claims under a 4lb penalty.
A Path To Ronda won easily on debut at Uttoxeter and deserves this crack at stronger company.
3.35
GOSHEN’s last win came over fences at Exeter four runs ago from 2lb higher and he ran a cracker here last month when third in much stronger company than this over hurdles.
You are always taking a big risk with this quirky customer but he’s best going right-handed and is a fair price to strike.
Dreaming Blue was a good second here last time and is on a fair mark. He stays strongly and jumps well so should go close.
Hoe Joly Smoke was excellent when winning here in December before a poor Newbury run. He’s been given a break since then and could bounce back.
HEREFORD
2.05
WILLIETHEBUILDER has some decent hurdles form in the book and has always looked a chaser in the making.
He is best over this trip and it isn’t the deepest race to be making his handicap debut.
He can go close under Tristan Durrell who takes off a valuable 3lb.
Western General had ten lengths in hand when winning at Wincanton last month.
He isn’t the most reliable and followed a win at Newton Abbot last year with a couple of stinkers.
He’s up 10lb but a repeat would see him on the premises.
Hypotenus has yet to score over fences but was a solid third at Sandown last time.
He’s had a nudge down the weights which should help.
Mackenberg may be happier on this quicker ground but needs a lot more to score in first-time cheekpieces.
WOLVERHAMPTON
2.45
FINAL VOYAGE was just pipped by Kingdom Come in this race 12 months ago and they can fight out the finish again.
Johnny Murtagh’s raider is 1lb better off this time and has the excellent Billy Loughnane on board.
He could be drawn better but has been laid out for this race and ran a cracker at Dundalk last time.
Kingdom Come hasn’t won since taking this and Clive Cox has kept him off the track to protect his handicap mark.
He’ll have him fit and ready to go here.
Local Hero has been in good form at Kempton with a win before a slightly unlucky fourth last time.
He could still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip.
Symbol Of Light came right back to his best when scooting in at Southwell and has place claims despite an 8lb rise.
Whip Cracker was on the podium in a couple of Listed races on turf last year so has class but may need this comeback run.
3.20
ROYAL ZABEEL looks a big price for a horse that’s been running well in some hot all-weather handicaps.
He clocked a blistering time when scoring at Southwell in December before following up over course and distance.
He possibly went a bit quick when just collared at Southwell last time but there was only a neck in it. He’s fit and should be right there again.
Jabaara was second in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes last summer but we haven’t seen her since she was first past the post in a Glorious Goodwood Group 3. She’ll go very close if fit.
Al Shabab Storm was a Listed winner last season and his liking for Chester bodes well for this tight track. He is interesting on debut for Marco Botti.
Fair Angellica ended last season with a good run in a Donny Group 3 and has winning form on the sand over this trip.
She’s another with an absence to overcome but can’t be ignored.
Templegate’s tips
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