TEMPLEGATE takes on a massive Saturday of action from Cheltenham confident of finding some winners.
But also with an eye on those who could do the business at the festival too.
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JAVERT ALLEN (1.15 Cheltenham, nap)
He looks the type to improve tackling 2m4f for the first time. He has been running big races from the front over shorter but shaped like he wanted further when second in good company at Newbury last time. He’s an excellent jumper who likes soft ground and has little lead in the saddle.
FINAL ORDERS (1.50 Cheltenham, nb)
He enjoyed this unique cross-country track when scooting in by four lengths at the December meeting and a 9lb rise in the handicap may not stop him following up. He is a proper stayer and Keith Donoghue has a fine record riding this track and can add to his tally.
JETARA (1.30 Doncaster, treble)
She won this race 12 months ago for Jessica Harrington and has run in some red-hot contests since. She was out of her depth behind the likes of Teahupoo at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and will be much happier back in this grade. Soft ground is fine, she stays well and has her favoured cheekpieces on today.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
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CHELTENHAM
1.15
JAVERT ALLEN looks the type to improve tackling 2m4f for the first time.
He has been running big races from the front over shorter but shaped like he wanted further when second in good company at Newbury last time.
He’s an excellent jumper who likes soft ground and has little lead in the saddle.
Jagwar is the obvious threat given he’s won the Festival Plate and was a close third in the December Gold Cup last time.
He acts on soft ground but has to give plenty of weight away, which is the worry.
Booster Bob made it back-to-back wins at Newbury last time with lots left.
That was over 2m6f so he definitely won’t be stopping and even a 9lb rise in the weights may not put the brakes on.
Moon D’Orange has not figured since winning this race 12 months ago so is back from just 1lb higher and he looks a big price to make the frame.
1.50
FINAL ORDERS enjoyed this unique cross-country track when scooting in by four lengths at the December meeting and a 9lb rise in the handicap may not stop him following up.
He is a proper stayer and Keith Donoghue has a fine record riding this track and can add to his tally.
There has been plenty of money this week for J’Arrive De L’Est who was four lengths behind the tip here last time.
That was just his first run for Emmet Mullins and he’d been off nine months.
He did almost come down at one obstacle but kept going and cheekpieces go back on today which may help.
Iceo Madrik is quirky and pulled hard here last time before staying on into third.
He has place claims again for top French trainer David Cottin.
The waiting tactics were overdone on Unanswered Prayers here last time and it will be interesting to see if Charlie Deutsch rides him closer to the pace as this track suits him.
2.25
GREY DAWNING will hope to put himself right in the Gold Cup picture by winning this.
The Skeltons are adamant their nine-year-old is good enough to take the top prize in jumps racing and he was impressive when taking the Betfair Chase at Haydock last time.
Finishing second in that last year knocked the stuffing out of him but conditions were much less gruelling this time and his excellent jumping came to the fore.
He’s a proven stayer who won the Turners here as a novice so the track holds no fears.
L’Homme Presse won this 12 months ago and was fourth in the Gold Cup at his peak.
He was a good second carting top weight in a hot handicap here last time and his track form is a major asset.
Spillane’s Tower has never built on his novice promise but is fit from a spin over hurdles and stays well.
It will be interesting to see what tune Jack Kennedy gets out of him as there’s plenty of talent there.
3.00
SIR GINO can put The New Lion in his place.
Nicky Henderson has had to bring him back to hurdles thanks to Constitution Hill’s jumping issues and he was superb when winning the Christmas Hurdle by six lengths last month.
He absolutely tanks along and jumps well with scope to improve given he’s still only six.
Soft ground suits and he’s the one to beat.
The New Lion is a worthy foe and he was still going strongly before hitting the deck in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.
He won the Turners over 2m5f at the Festival and will need an almighty effort to match Sir Gino’s boot over this trip.
Nemean Lion and Brentford Hope are both good hurdlers but short of this standard.
3.35
IMPOSE TOI can confirm the form of his Long Walk Hurdle win with Ascot second Strong Leader.
Nicky Henderson’s stayer was completing a hat-trick after starting the season with a hot handicap win at Aintree, then taking Haydock’s Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle – again ahead of Strong Leader who must be sick of the sight of him.
He likes to get his toe in and the big two meet each other again on the same weight terms.
Strong Leader seems to have improved his jumping this season and took the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby in November before chasing home Impose Toi on his past two outings.
The worry for Olly Murphy’s hope is his modest Cheltenham record where he has been beaten on all five visits.
Now he’s crossing his hurdles better, he may handle Prestbury Park’s challenge better.
Ma Shantou is going the right way and was a good handicap winner here on New Year’s Day.
This is clearly tougher but trainer Emma Lavelle continues in good form and he could nick the forecast spot if taking another step forward.
Doddiethegreat was held in the Long Walk but likes it here and could get a bit closer today.
He won last year’s Pertemps Final so won’t lack for staying power but handicaps are more his level.
Last year’s winner Gowel Road didn’t fire in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle here last time but could do better over his favourite distance again.
DONCASTER
12.55
COUNTRY CODE is progressing nicely and looks ready for this hike in class.
He started with a promising debut win at Newcastle before stepping up in trip and quality for a smooth success at Kelso last time.
He has lots of stamina and trainer Ruth Jefferson took a similar route with the horse that won this race in 2024.
Carlenrig looks the main threat after winning a Chepstow Grade 2 on the nod last time.
He still looked green on just his second run but saw out the three miles well. He’s certain to come on for that run.
Irish raider Thedeviluno was a solid second in a Navan Grade 2 last month and will relish this longer trip in testing conditions.
Sam Thomas is in fine form and his Rocking Man looked a nice type when winning on hurdles debut.
He’d been off almost two years so should progress fitness-wise and looks a staying type.
Kicour La loved the mud when winning easily at Leicester and is another to note with Ben Pauling going well.
1.30
JETARA won this race 12 months ago for Jessica Harrington and has run in some red-hot contests since.
She was out of her depth behind the likes of Teahupoo at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and will be much happier back in this grade.
Soft ground is fine, she stays well and has her favoured cheekpieces on today.
Feet Of A Dancer wasn’t disgraced in Grade 3 company last time and ran her best race when fourth over this trip in the Pertemps Final at last year’s Festival.
This is the first time she’s tackled three miles since and she won’t be far away.
Dream On Baby was a place behind her at Leopardstown last month and there won’t be a lot between then again although her staying power has yet to be proven over this distance.
Lavida Adiva has some smart form over this trip, including when winning here last time.
She handles soft ground and could hit the places.
That’ll Do Moss tackles three miles for the first time after a good Listed run at Sandown three Saturdays ago.
She could figure if getting home with soft ground right up her street.
2.05
NEW ORDER looks overpriced in a wide-open Great Yorkshire Chase.
He has been in good form this season, particularly when a close-up third in strong company at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
The handicapper has left his mark alone and he has proven staying power for the three-mile trip.
He keeps it simple out front and may take some pegging back.
Deep Cave hasn’t put a foot wrong since going over fences and held on well at Ascot latest after scoring at Bangor.
He’s another who relishes this trip and has more to offer.
Grand Geste jumped like a stag when winning Haydock’s Tommy Whittle by six lengths last time.
A 10lb rise gives him more to find but he’s progressing nicely.
Docpickedme won nicely over C&D last time and has been hiked just 2lb.
He has more on his plate in this company but his liking for the track is a major plus and he can’t be ruled out.
Josh The Boss is consistent and is another with winning course form.
His best efforts have come over shorter and he may not have enough in the tank, while Walking On Air was rusty last time and can do better.
Templegate’s tips
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