TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s action looking to hammer the layers.
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HOT FUSS (3.35 Sandown, nap)
Takes a big drop in class after running a mighty race at Ascot last time out. After a rusty Newbury comeback in November, he wasn’t expected to figure in Premier Handicap company at the Berkshire track but he was a close second for trainer Tom Dascombe. He looked in a bit of trouble turning for home but found a second wind to come home really strongly to take second in the closing stages. He was ahead of some useful performers like Greatwood Hurdle winner Alexei so the form looks pretty solid. It was arguably a better run than his excellent fourth in the Fred Winter at last year’s Cheltenham Festival and he’s right at home over this two-mile trip. A stiff finish brings out his best and he looks on a fair handicap mark. Good ground suits and he won a novice contest at Sandown last season so there are no fears about handling a track that doesn’t suit everyone.
CAN YOU CALL (1.50 Sandown, nb)
Had almost eight lengths in hand when scooting in at Cheltenham last time out. He wasn’t stopping at the end of this 2m4f trip in decent ground and there was plenty in the tank. He was breaking a long losing run but there’s no reason why he can’t score again with Ben Jones staying in the saddle.
NURSE SUSAN (2.25 Sandown, treble)
Can upset likely hotpot Jubilee Alpha. There was a lot to like about the way she won at Cheltenham last time, picking up strongly jumping the last and powering up the hill. She takes a step up from handicap company here and Jubilee Alpha is better off at the weights — but the tip beat him fair and square by eight lengths last time and has every chance of upholding that form for the in-form Skelton team.
Templegate’s TV tips
SANDOWN
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1.50
CAN YOU CALL was impressive when winning by more than seven lengths at Cheltenham last month.
He stayed every yard of the extended 2m4f up the hill so Sandown’s stamina test should be right up his street.
A 7lb rise in the weights gives him more to do but he’s clearly in flying form.
Triple Trade is another coming here with good Cheltenham efforts on his CV.
He won at the November meeting before putting in a solid effort again last time. He is proven over this trip and should be right on the premises again.
Jet Plane has plenty of good hunter chase form on his CV and followed a fair run over the National fences in the Grand Sefton with an easy success on his veteran chase debut at Leicester last time.
He’s another thorough stayer who has won here too and should be right there despite going up the weights.
Numitor has dropped below his last winning mark but has been out of form. He’s had a wind op which could help.
Minella Trump has tumbled down the weights and won a hunter at Carlisle latest. He has more on his plate here.
2.25
NURSE SUSAN was highly impressive when winning at Cheltenham last time.
She travelled smoothly and pulled nicely clear up the hill. The Skeltons step her out of handicap company now but this trip suits and a repeat of that last effort would take her close.
Jubilee Alpha was staying on in that Prestbury Park race before clattering into the last.
She’s 12lb better off today which will bring them closer together.
That’ll Do Moss was second in a Fairyhouse Grade 1 in April and looked a little rusty when fourth on comeback at Kempton in November.
She should stay and will come on for that effort.
Sunset Marquesa was an easy handicap winner here four weeks ago when this trip was ideal.
This is clearly a much taller order but she deserves to be here although softer ground would be ideal.
Shantwopointfive was held by Sunset Marquesa latest and has it all to do.
3.05
GUSTAVIAN was impressive when winning the Badger Beers Gold Cup at Wincanton last time and has every chance of following up.
He jumped brilliantly from the front and had 10 lengths in hand.
Something close to that form would take him very close again.
Credo has Harry Cobden in the saddle and came from a long way back when fourth in the Berkshire National at Ascot last time.
She’s down 1lb in the weights which boosts here chances over a trip that suits.
Le Milos is back to his last winning mark and has winning form over this course and distance.
He usually wears cheekpieces, which are off today, but he’s high on the shortlist.
Copperhead won this last season when it was run at Market Rasen and should be fitter for a quiet run around Cheltenham last time.
He is a proper stayer who won’t be far away again on ground that suits.
3.35
HOT FUSS clocked a big personal best when second in a hot handicap at Ascot 14 days ago.
He showed more for the visor going on and the 2lb rise in the weights is fair.
He was a cracking fourth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March and has winning form as a juvenile over this course and distance.
Trainer Tom Dascombe drops him in class and he’ll be right there under David Bass.
All In You is another coming here after a good run at Ascot.
He was returning from nine months off before that close second and was making his debut for in-form trainer Warren Greatrex.
He looks the main rival.
Dance And Glance was a head in front of him at Ascot latest when rallying to get his head back in front.
He likes this trip and decent ground and is another with every chance.
Nardaran was too bad to be true when pulled up at Plumpton in November on the back of winning in a small field here. He will enjoy this decent ground and dropping back to his favourite distance.
Imaginarium has been off since April but he won nicely then at Perth and Sean Bowen and Olly Murphy always command respect.
A 7lb rise gives him a little more to do though.
The Skeltons’ Brace For Landing hasn’t shown a lot so far but it’s early days and the cheekpieces may help.
WINCANTON
1.30
KELCE can make a quick turnaround.
Neil Mulholland’s bold-jumping eight-year-old came right back to form when second at Aintree on Boxing Day and has gone up just 1lb.
He stays all day, loves to attack from the front and good ground is ideal.
The cheekpieces keep him sharp and he can dictate and grind this lot into submission at a track where jumping is important.
Main danger Transmission is taking a fair drop in class wearing a first-time visor.
He’s shown some flashes of his old ability in big handicaps, finishing well at Ascot last time an the first-time visor could just give him a little nudge.
Wicked Thoughts is unexposed over fences for Paul Nicholls and will be popular after his Taunton win.
That was just chasing debut and there should be more to come.
Silver Thorn jumped fluently when scoring easily at Doncaster for in-form Emma Lavelle and looks on the up, though this is tougher company and the quicker surface could test him.
Vision De Maine has some staying form but has become a little disappointing.
2.05
HIM MALAYA can give them all a mountain to climb. He’s been in fine form at Taunton with a third followed by a close-up fourth last time.
He has winning form over this trip and track and gets on well with trainer’s daughter Olive.
He’ll be right there again in this open contest.
Premier got his act together to score at Taunton three weeks ago when finishing strongly.
He’ll have to deliver a bit more from 8lb higher but it’s still early days and he looks progressive.
Western Soldier won here two starts ago and went off too quick last time. He looks in the mix again.
Purple Owl makes his handicap debut after a solid third at Uttoxeter latest.
His mark doesn’t look particularly tempting but there’s more to come and the better ground could help.
Three Pikes appeared to run out of petrol when third over 2m4f at Uttoxeter last time out in September.
He can go close on handicap debut over an ideal trip.
Knight Templar wasn’t disgraced when fifth in a big field at Chepstow when he was hampered a couple of times which didn’t help.
2.40
MALDINI MILANO clocked a personal best when winning at Plumpton last time.
That was in novice company but the handicapper hasn’t gone mad with his opening mark of 114.
This slight step up in distance looks a plus and he’ll be right there for Paul Nicholls.
Got A Dream has won both his handicap outings including over this distance at Warwick latest.
A 5lb rise in the weights gives him every chance again on ground that suits.
Call Me Legend has yet to finish out of the first four and stayed on strongly over 2m3f at Taunton latest.
The extra quarter-mile looks in his favour today.
Cruden has been knocking on the door over timber and is fit from a second on the level at Wolverhampton four weeks ago.
Me makes his yard debut here and any market support would be interesting.
The Expensive One ran on the worst ground at Cheltenham latest and can do better.
Templegate’s tips
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