Horse racing tips: Templegate’s NAP can dominate down in class on ground he should relish
TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday’s action confident of banging in some winners – and building the bank for another huge weekend.
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SHOWALONG (3.17 Redcar, nap)
Tim Easterby’s six-year-old has scored here before and saves his best for today’s distance. He went close at Pontefract last week in a stronger grade than this so he should be able to go one better. He has shown all his best form on testing ground so the going at the seaside track should be right up his street. This is the first time he’s dropped to Class 6 level and his quality should see him home.
LAOISMAN (8.00 Chelmsford, nb)
Comes here in cracking form having scored at Lingfield before matching that effort with a cosy success at Wolverhampton. That brought up a winning hat-trick after Sean Woods’ four-year-old kicked off the sequence by scoring at Chepstow in September. All those victories have come over this trip and we know he handles the surface. The handicapper hasn’t gone mad with a 3lb rise in the weights and there should be more to come.
HEADABOVETHEREST (4.02 Ayr, treble)
Has been found a good chance to get off the mark. He came back from a wind op to run a much better race at Newcastle last time when going down in a tight finish. The handicapper has left his mark alone and the move up to a mile should also help. This race won’t take a lot of winning and he should be good enough to take it with Hollie Doyle taking over.
Templegate’s Thursday verdicts
4.50
COKO BEACH has a lot of weight to cart but his overall form really stands out in this field.
He got round again in the Grand National last time in a race that was run much too quickly for his liking.
He took really well to the banks when winning on debut over this track in February and his class can take him very close.
Birchdale was an easy winner over three miles on this course in November and was a solid third in good company at Leopardstown last time.
Enda Bolger has won two of the past seven runnings and he won’t be far away.
Stumptown didn’t fire at the Cheltenham Festival but went close at Prestbury Park last time and shapes like a real stayer.
5.25
GAELIC WARRIOR could not have been more impressive when winning the Arkle at Cheltenham last time and can take another step forward here.
He tanked along and his tendency to jump slightly right won’t be a problem at Punchestown.
Il Etait Temps bounced back from a modest Arkle third to land a nice Grade 1 at Aintree without breaking sweat.
That was his true form but he has his work cut out to catch up with Gaelic Warrior.
Hercule Du Seuil finished strongly when fourth at Aintree last time. He has winning form around here but has a lot to find.
6.00
ASTERION FORLONGE looks a value price to make the frame given how close he went to winning this race 12 months ago.
He was far from disgraced at Cheltenham before scoring over fences at Cork last time.
Teahupoo was a gutsy Stayers’ Hurdle winner but he could really do with some rain as goodish ground doesn’t suit.
He disappointed in this race 12 months ago and that has to be a worry again.
Home By The Lee is another who excels in the mud which has to be a negative.
Similar comments apply to Monkfish who still ran a respectable race at Aintree.
6.35
CAPTAIN CODY was impressive when winning a Fairyhouse Grade 2 easily last time out.
He drew right away from his rivals and this longer trip will bring his stamina into play.
Kilbeg King has strong each-way claims in a race he won 12 months ago from an 8lb lower mark.
He ran a solid race when sixth in a hot handicap at Aintree last time and trainer Anthony Honeyball is in excellent form.
Lucky Lyreen has few miles on the clock and battled to score on handicap debut at Fairyhouse a month ago.
An 8lb rise for that seems fair and he can give Jack Kennedy a good spin.
Chantry House has plenty of quality but hasn’t shown it for a while. He’s tumbling down the weights and could hit the frame.
7.05
SPINDLEBERRY looks hard to beat after going close in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 last time.
She looked the winner jumping the last only to be grabbed well inside the final furlong by her stablemate.
Paul Townend gets on board today and they can go one better. Another Mullins runner Got Glory is interesting after coming back from a long break to win easily at Naas 28 days ago.
This is clearly a much hotter contest but there should be plenty of improvement to come.
Twiston-Davies raider Casa No Mento is no forlorn hope after winning three minor contests. There should be improvement to come.
Templegate’s tips
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