TEMPLEGATE takes on Sunday’s racing confident of firing in some more winners.
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KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (3.30 Cheltenham, nap)
He looks a big price, having run well in big-field handicaps before and shaping with promise in this race last term from a higher mark. He goes well fresh, handles cut and a useful 7lb claimer on board leaves him attractively weighted for a yard that targets this contest. His front-running style should keep him out of trouble and he goes well when fresh.
AMBIENTE FRIENDLY (1.15 Cheltenham, nb)
You don’t get many horses that were second in the Derby going over hurdles and AMBIENTE FRIENDLY can make his class tell here. His form on the level was never the same after Epsom but he was still performing at Group level and his trainer does well over hurdles.
BUD FOX (4.00 Cheltenham, treble)
He looked way above average when winning on debut in a big field at the Punchestown Festival in April. He travelled really strongly and kept finding. There’s more to come from Gavin Cromwell’s improver.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
CHELTENHAM
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1.15
YOU don’t get many horses that were second in the Derby going over hurdles and AMBIENTE FRIENDLY can make his class tell here.
His form on the level was never the same after Epsom but he was still performing at Group level and his trainer does well over hurdles.
Act Of Innocence has moved from Paul Nicholls to Nicky Henderson and looks a major danger.
He was placed in a hot bumper at Punchestown before winning at Taunton last time out in March. He should improve now jumping.
Gaelic Pride made a promising start to his hurdles career when second at Fontwell last month and that experience should help.
Hold The Serve is an Irish points winner who could figure on debut for Olly Murphy. He shouldn’t lack for fitness.
1.45
JORDANS CROSS made a highly promising start over fences at Aintree, travelling smoothly before asserting late and he can strike again if handling this very different track.
He shaped as though the step up to 2m4f on soft ground will suit, having stayed well over hurdles, and his jumping was notably assured for a debutant.
With his opening chase mark of 126 looking lenient, he can make his mark again.
Jax Junior is an obvious threat after a solid chase debut but he still looked to be learning and now has to back up quickly after a fairly hard race.
Jig’s Forge is interesting switching to fences, though his best hurdles form came over further and he lacks recent match practice.
Queensbury Boy has moved to the Bowens. He looks the type to make a nice chaser.
2.20
GLENGOULY bounced right back to form when third in good company at Aintree last time.
That came in a deeper race than this and he travelled notably better than for some time before staying on late, suggesting the Cheltenham hill will suit.
He has been raised a fair 2lb for that and looks some juice in the ground.
If able to build on that Aintree revival under Harry Cobden he is handicapped to play a major role.
Cabhfuilfungi is reliable and handles conditions.
He shapes like further would be ideal but that stamina could be an asset in sticky ground.
Triple Trade has run well here before but his losing run is adding up and he’s hard to predict.
Torneo shaped nicely on his comeback at Wetherby yet must prove he can land a blow in a field of this depth.
St Faz ran well back over fences at Down Royal last time and looks on a fair mark while Ballybreeze has won his past two in lesser company so needs more.
2.55
TANGANYIKA ended last season with a huge career-best when second in the Midlands Grand National so should enjoy this stamina test.
He is going up the weights but has more to come for Venetia Williams.
Soft ground holds no fears and the move back to 3m3f looks ideal for a horse who stays extreme distances.
Protektorat commands respect on his 2024 Ryanair Chase alone, though he must prove his stamina at this trip and gives weight away all round.
Beauport is another threat as he’s blessed with plenty of staying power.
He goes well fresh but is 10lb above his last win.
Marble Sands and Transmission both stay well and act on soft but each has something to prove at this higher level.
Sam Brown is only 3lb above his last win but he’s 13 now.
3.30
KNICKERBOCKERGLORY looks a big price, having run well in big-field handicaps before and shaping with promise in this race last term from a higher mark.
He goes well fresh, handles cut and a useful 7lb claimer on board leaves him attractively weighted for a yard that targets this contest.
His front-running style should keep him out of trouble and he goes well when fresh.
Fellow Skelton runner Mirabad rates a major threat on his first start for the yard.
He’s proven over this trip and track and has been given a wind op.
Serious Challenge also has to be feared after a fine comeback and now drops to what looks his optimum trip off a handy weight.
Gibbs Island and the progressive Alexei are others with each-way appeal with the latter just having to prove his liking for cut in the ground.
FONTWELL
2.05
GOLD CLERMONT can strike on debut for Olly Murphy.
She won over course and distance last year and has come nicely down the weights.
She’s had a breathing op that won’t hurt and this looks wide open.
She has no issue with soft ground and sees out a marathon trip like this.
Ivane has progressed sharply since joining James Owen.
Already a dual chase winner this term and still looking on the upgrade even if he does make the odd error. He has plenty of stamina too.
Stablemate Shantou Lucky completed a hat-trick before finishing just behind Ivane at Southwell last month.
He scored again here last time and is dangerous.
Deep Purple is lightly raced over fences and shaping well, while Ken Roy impressed when making all at Plumpton on his chase debut and remains open to improvement over staying trips.
Last year’s winner Unanswered Prayers is back from just 1lb higher with the Freddie Gordon yard in form and must have every chance of retaining his crown.
Templegate’s tips
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