TEMPLEGATE tackles a cracking day one of the Cheltenham November Meeting confident of unleashing hell on the bookies and landing a touch or two.
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LEAVE OF ABSENCE (2.20 Cheltenham, nap)
Can win The Sun’s ‘Save Our Bets’ Novice Chase. Britain’s No1 paper for racing is sponsoring the contest to highlight the threat any Betting Tax hike in this month’s budget would be to our brilliant sport. And the race has attracted some quality chasers — including this eight-year-old who comes from the bang in form yard of Anthony Honeyball. He has already shown his liking for Cheltenham after winning in good style here last month. Rex Dingle’s mount was up with the pace all the way over this testing trip and managed to rally up the legendary hill after losing the lead early in the run-in. That’s a really good sign as you need a battler for staying chases at Cheltenham. It was his first run since winning at Newbury in March and he has a lot more to come with just four chase outings on his CV.
FORTUNE DE MER (4.00 Cheltenham, nb)
Can land the loot for Dan Skelton. The Listed bumper winner showed real grit when collaring Doctor Blue in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle here last month, travelling like a class act and finding plenty when it mattered. He’s got his quirks but this track clearly brings out the best in him and a mark of 124 could still underestimate his ability.
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HEADS UP (3.30 Cheltenham, treble)
Will handle this step up in class in his stride. John McConnell’s gelding was second in the Champion Bumper here and confirmed that promise when winning smoothly on his hurdling debut at Listowel. That suggested he’ll relish today’s longer trip, and with the yard in good nick he looks the type to go on improving.
Templegate’s TV verdicts (ITV4)
CHELTENHAM
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1.10
KAP VERT fits in this tricky opener.
He caught the eye when a close second at Fontwell on comeback, shaping as though the step up to 2m5f round here will play perfectly to his strengths.
He tanks along, handles ease in the ground, and looks fairly treated off 120 with further improvement to come.
Fit now after that reappearance and with Freddie Keighley taking a handy 3lb off, he can take the next step.
Lucky Manifest is a big danger for the Tom Lacey team.
He’s on a sharp upward curve after two Kelso wins and the extra yardage poses no problem, though he now faces his toughest test from 9lb higher.
Marlacoo is worth a look after running a bold race at Chepstow on his return from a wind op.
He stays well and the likely strong pace should suit his hold-up style.
A Pai De Nom is open to improvement and shapes as if this trip will bring out more, while Kalium ended last season with a good win at Newbury and has gone well fresh.
1.45
GUNSIGHT RIDGE can make a winning return.
He’s had his ups and downs but looked better than ever when landing a strong Sandown handicap in February and backed that up with a solid fourth in the Red Rum at Aintree.
He travels sweetly, jumps well, and handles a bit of ease.
The step back up to 2m4f looks ideal at this stage of his career, and with Sean Bowen back aboard and the cheekpieces retained, he can go well.
Fugitif rates the main threat. He’s a proper Cheltenham horse with strong track form and often goes well off a break, so a bold run is expected.
Lord Baddesley comes here in great order after an easy Newbury win and looks dangerous if handling the quick turnaround.
Chase maiden Mister Coffey could hit the frame yet again back on a conventional track after good efforts on the cross-country course here.
2.20
LEAVE OF ABSENCE can run away from his rivals.
Anthony Honeyball’s eight-year-old made a striking return here last month, rallying bravely to regain the lead close home in a race that’s working out well.
That effort showed both grit and class and, with the yard in flying form he’s taken to handle this longer 3m1f trip.
He sets a high standard and looks open to improvement.
Wade Out rates the obvious danger after making a successful chasing debut at Worcester.
He’s progressive, stays well, and should build on that first run back, but faces his stiffest test yet at this trip.
Double Powerful has already proved himself around here and came from a long way back when third here last time.
2.55
JONBON can make it three Shloer Chase wins on the spin.
Nicky Henderson’s star has never been out of the first two in his glittering career, boasting 13 wins from 17 over fences, including nine Grade 1s.
He ended last season on a blip when second in the Celebration Chase at Sandown after winning at Aintree.
That came after a rare jumping error cost him the Champion Chase.
He’s beaten most of today’s rivals before and has had a wind op ahead of this return. He’s a short price but should win this.
L’Eau Du Sud looks the main danger for the Skeltons after a fine first campaign over fences, landing four on the bounce including a Grade 2 here.
He’s progressive, travels strongly and the yard has made a flying start to the season.
Libberty Hunter is improving fast and was unlucky to come down when still in the mix in the Champion Chase. His overall record here is strong.
Edwardstone put in some good efforts last season without getting his head in front. He’s likely to find a couple too good again.
Matata has won here in lesser grades but need to find more in this classy company.
3.30
HEADS UP can take this step up in class in his stride.
John McConnell’s gelding was second in the Champion Bumper here and confirmed that promise when winning smoothly on his hurdling debut at Listowel.
That suggested he’ll relish today’s longer trip, and with the yard in good nick he looks the type to go on improving.
Welonlyhavedone impressed at Galway before coming down late when in contention next time.
He’s progressive and stays, so is dangerous if putting in a clear round.
Great Fleet brings solid Cheltenham novice form and should appreciate a true pace, while Moneygarrow caught the eye at Chepstow and can build on that with the Skeltons firing.
No Drama This End has strong bumper credentials and represents a top yard.
4.00
FORTUNE DE MER can land the loot for Dan Skelton.
The Listed bumper winner showed real grit when collaring Doctor Blue in the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle here last month, travelling like a class act and finding plenty when it mattered.
He’s got his quirks but this track clearly brings out the best in him and a mark of 124 could still underestimate his ability.
Frontier Prince looks overpriced after digging deep to win at Chepstow.
He’s tough, improving and the pace will suit his straightforward style.
French Emperor also commands respect having returned from a break to score at Worcester.
That looked no fluke and there’s more to come.
Alphonse Le Grande is interesting after running in some hot Flat handicaps.
He’s been backed but needs to show more over timber.
Katakana, who scored decisively at Thurles, looks a live Irish threat if travelling over in similar form.
Tony Martin is always respected and champ Sean Bowen rides his Bruant who is fit from the Flat and won his last hurdles race at Downpatrick in June and could improve.
Templegate’s tips
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