"Templegate's Friday NAP: Why Chester is Perfect for This Classy, Up-and-Coming Stayer"

TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday’s racing – which includes huge punting heat the Chester Cup – confident of giving the bookies a beating.

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BAY CITY ROLLER (2.35 Chester, nap)

Can make a winning return. George Scott’s colt ended last season with a dominant Group 1 success in Munich. He had already run well in French Group 2 events and his German victory, where he powered seven lengths clear over this trip on soft, suggested he was developing into a high-class middle-distance performer. He looks the type to keep improving at four and this sharper test around Chester should suit.

RESPOND (1.30 Chester, nb)

Went from the front under Oisin Murphy when winning at Chelmsford two runs ago and can pull off the same tactics from stall two. He has improved since being allowed to stride on in front, and his success was backed up by a good third in the Rosebery at Kempton, where he again travelled strongly against more experienced rivals. A repeat of that would take him close.

ALBAYDAA (1.50 Ascot, treble)

Can take another step forward after an encouraging return at Newmarket last month. William Haggas’s filly was dropping back to 6f there after ending last season with a wide-margin Wolverhampton success over 7f. The extra furlong looks a major plus and she has the profile of a filly capable of better from her current mark.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

1.30

RESPOND went from the front under Oisin Murphy when winning at Chelmsford two runs ago and can pull off the same tactics from stall two.

He has improved since being allowed to stride on in front, and his success was backed up by a good third in the Rosebery at Kempton, where he again travelled strongly against more experienced rivals.

A repeat of that would take him close.

El Burhan rates a danger after shaping well on his return in the same Kempton race and his course form is an obvious positive.

He won on this card last year and looked firmly back on track when scoring at Ayr in the autumn. Billy Loughnane stays on board.

Whip Cracker was an eye-catching third in the Spring Cup at Newbury, where he finished strongly in a huge field over a mile.

The return to ten furlongs should suit and Ryan Moore takes over for a yard enjoying a productive spell.

Clouds Hill came back from a break to strike at Yarmouth last time.

This is tougher but he’s lightly raced and open to improvement for Charlie Johnston.

2.05

JOULANY looked more than useful when beaten by a neck on comeback at Newbury last time.

He kept on strongly over the 1m2f there so this longer trip should be ideal. He doesn’t need to take much of a step forward.

Galiyan was extremely green on debut at Newmarket 22 days ago.

The penny didn’t drop until the final furlong when he finished off nicely enough.

He should have learned a lot from that experience and should have a lot more to come.

Glory Of The Seas is another who has looked inexperienced on both runs so far.

He is another who did better as the race went on at Newbury last time and has lots of potential as a son of Sea The Stars.

The others seem to have a mountain to climb with Morningtoncrescent at least coming from Charlie Fellowes who has started the season strongly so market support would be a clue.

2.35

BAY CITY ROLLER can make a winning return.

George Scott’s colt ended last season with a dominant Group 1 success in Munich.

He had already run well in French Group 2 events and his German victory, where he powered seven lengths clear over this trip on soft, suggested he was developing into a high-class middle-distance performer.

He looks the type to keep improving at four and this sharper test around Chester should suit.

Lambourn sets the standard after last year’s Derby and Irish Derby victories and his Chester Vase success showed he handles this track.

However, most of his best form came over 1m4f and this drop back in trip is not certain to play to his strengths.

Royal Rhyme shaped much better than the bare result in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh when travelling strongly for a long way before fitness appeared to give out late on.

King’s Gambit was a good second on comeback at HQ and is another with place claims.

3.05

SPIRIT MIXER looks primed for a huge run in the Chester Cup.

A four-time winner at this venue, he again showed how effective he is around here when scoring over an extended 1m7f on this card last September and his recent Kempton return suggested he retains all of his ability as an eight-year-old.

He stayed on strongly from an unpromising position there in a race that did not play to his strengths and this much stiffer stamina test on a track he clearly relishes should suit perfectly.

Blindedbythelights appeals as a major danger after another solid second at Kempton, where he travelled notably well.

First-time blinkers could help him find extra when it matters.

Galileo Dame is respected for Joseph O’Brien after an excellent Navan second and her hurdle form suggests this longer trip could bring further improvement, while stablemate A Piece Of Heaven arrives in good order after a strong Curragh effort.

Berkshire Sundance could be better drawn but has strong form claims.

3.40

HOODIE HOO can strike in a fiercely competitive sprint after shaping well on comeback at Lingfield last month.

Charles Hills’ four-year-old had been off for six months before finishing a close second over this trip and travelled strongly before just finding one too sharp.

That outing should have brought him forward nicely and his previous turf effort when beaten only a neck at Nottingham off a similar mark was solid.

Drawn nicely, he looks capable of better again.

Kiniro is respected on his first start for a new yard after ending last season with an impressive success at Lingfield.

Oisin Murphy keeps the ride and he has more to offer.

Clonmacash arrives in good form after another solid Dundalk win and stall one is a clear positive around here, especially for a horse who can race handily.

Rosenpur has a tremendous record at this venue with two course wins last year and his recent Catterick second showed he retains plenty of ability.

He did not build on that at Musselburgh but this sharper track suits him much better.

The Good Biscuit has returned in excellent order this spring and again looks set to run his race, while Kirkdale is thriving on the all-weather and seeks a hat-trick despite a difficult draw.

Intervention and Miraculous are both weighted to get involved if rediscovering their best turf form.

Templegate’s tips

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

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