TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of keeping his hot run going – and building the bank for York next week.
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MORE THUNDER (3.35 Newbury, nap)
Can go like lightning in the Hungerford Stakes. Trainer William Haggas has a fantastic record in this Group 2 with three wins since 2015 including last year with Tiber Flow. More Thunder looks more than capable of delivering at this level after his battling Bunbury Cup win at Newmarket last time. That came after six furlongs proved a couple of yards too short when he flew home for second in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. He’s looked potentially more than a handicapper all season after he kicked off with back-to-back wins at Newmarket in the style of a classy performer. He deserves his chance at this level and looks well up to it.
CRACKING GOLD (3.00 Newbury, nb)
Can shine for Clive Cox. He has been in flying form all season and looks hard to beat. I go through all the runners for this race below.
SECRET GUEST (3.20 Ripon, treble)
Can star in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap. He was an excellent third in the race 12 months ago for trainer Bryan Smart who has given him a little break since a good second at Thirsk last time out. The five-year-old is back from just 3lb higher than last year but his rider’s claim takes care of that. He’s drawn well in stall 11 and ticks all the boxes for this competitive contest.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWBURY
1.50
PINHOLE looked a lot more than a handicapper when bolting up at Ascot last time.
That was just his third run for Ralph Beckett and he stormed home over 1m4f to suggest this longer trip would bring further improvement.
He deserves another crack at this stronger company.
Epic Poet didn’t enjoy 1m4f in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot after going close in the Yorkshire Cup and will be happier at this distance.
Nightime Dancer chased home potential superstar Scandinavia here last time and should find this challenge a bit simpler.
Candleford has a Listed win on his CV this season but needs to bounce back from a moderate effort at Goodwood last time.
2.25
RHYTHM N HOOVES is music to my ears. Robert Cowell’s speedster looked right back to his best when flashing home for second in a hot Ascot sprint last month.
He’s well-handicapped from just 2lb higher, thrives on fast ground and Billy Loughnane knows exactly how to deliver him late.
A truly-run race should see him swooping past tiring rivals in the final 100 yards.
Getreadytorumble is a big danger after a string of good efforts at this distance, while Glamorous Breeze has the class to pounce if the gaps open.
Sugar Hill Babe, drawn in stall one, could give them plenty to think about from the front but she’s likely to set things up nicely for the tip.
3.00
I’VE got a Cracking bet on the box at Newbury.
CRACKING GOLD (3.00, nb) was an impressive winner here two runs ago before close close at Goodwood. He can take another step forward for Clive Cox.
Classic, Consolidation and Leadman can give him most to do.
Here’s my guide to the field, where I rate them out of one (worst) and five (best) stars:
CRACKING GOLD 5
GOLD star. Looked better than ever with a strong Goodwood second in a big field last time. He’s suited by pace and trip, handles all ground and runs well fresh. Reliable and progressive profile suggests he’s the one to beat.
HAVANA PUSEY 2
HAV to pass. Likes to be up with the pace and held her own in a Group 3 latest after earlier handicap wins over this trip. Track and ground ideal, but needs to improve on last Goodwood showing.
CLASSIC 4
CLASSIC case. Thriving this summer with strong Ascot second and earlier Sandown win. That form looks rock solid, 7f ideal, handles ground, and has track form. Very likely to go close again.
LOU LOU’S GIFT 3
GIFT horse. Lightly raced filly, shaped better than result in a messy Ascot Group 3 last time. Down in grade, strong pace helps. Still has more to come at 7f. Place shout
JUMBY 3
BY law. Game veteran. Big run in Newmarket handicap latest and has tumbled down the weights. This is his trip but long losing run remains a concern. No surprise to see him in the frame.
WOLF OF BADENOCH 1
WOLF whistle. Well held at Ascot on turf return and cheekpieces stay on. Was useful as a two-year-old but may not have trained on. Others bring stronger current claims and more proven handicapping efforts.
CONSOLIDATION 4
NO Con. Career-best win at Goodwood two back, unlucky latest when getting stuck in traffic. Goes well on quick ground and 7f suits. Still unexposed and could well bounce back with a cleaner trip.
OBELIX 3
LIX not licked. Had no chance at Wolver last time from a wide draw on the back of a good York win. He likes this trip on quick ground and isn’t ruled out from 7lb higher.
LEADMAN 4
GOOD Man. Won nicely here before getting no luck at Goodwood last time. He’s best over 7f and his form ties in well with others here. His handicap mark is fair and he’s high on the shortlist.
COGITATE 2
SMALL Cog. Not disgraced in hot Ascot handicap last time but he’s not the easiest ride. Has come down weights but needs a step forward to score in this company.
DOCUMENTING 1
WHAT’S up Doc? Almost a teenager but is still competitive with good efforts this season in big fields. His fifth behind Obelix at York reads well but there’s no obvious reason why he’ll turn that around.
3.35
MORE THUNDER never wins by very far but he keeps producing the goods like when winning the Bunbury Cup here by a short-head last time.
That build on his staying-on Wokingham second and two other smart wins on the Rowley course this season.
He looks well up to Group 2 standard and proved his liking for this trip last time.
King’s Gamble came home strongly when just denied over six furlongs at Newbury last time.
That was his first run in 11 months and moving back up in trip makes him the main danger.
Witness Stand won the Lennox nicely at Goodwood and goes well here too.
He’s in the mix while Spy Chief was far from disgraced in the July Cup and is likely to go hard on the front end.
RIPON
2.45
NOVELLO LAD has won two of his past three and looks capable of another step forward.
He saves his best for six furlongs on quick ground and his double-figure draw is another plus.
The handicapper must have been in a good mood when hiking him only 2lb for scoring at Pontefract last time.
Paul Midgley does well at Ripon and can add to his tally.
Wreck It Ryley saves his best for Ripon and was less than two lengths off the pace at Yarmouth last time.
He looks a good price to make the frame.
Ziggy’s Ariel landed his last win here in April and is only 2lb higher today which makes him competitive.
Likely favourite Fortamour is a good performer at this level but he’s yet to win on quick ground which has to be a worry for the nine-year-old.
Dicko The Legend was good at York last time and is well drawn.
3.20
SECRET GUEST was third in this last season and is primed to go two better.
Trainer Bryan Smart seems to have laid him out for the race and has given him a break since his close second at Thirsk in early July.
He’s only 3lb higher than his last win and this trip and track are ideal.
You want to be drawn high and he’s handy in stall 11.
Rock Opera comes from box 14 and was a close-up third in good company at York last time.
That was over this trip on fast ground so he should be on the premises again.
Grant Wood won the Silver Cup on this card last year and has clearly been aimed at this race.
He’s a big price to make the frame despite a low draw.
Similar comments apply to Intervention who ran well at Chepstow last time and looks on a fair mark.
Prince Of Pillo is in stall 16 and likes this track. His trainer Richard Fahey won this race 12 months ago so he’s a threat.
NEWMARKET
2.05
BINHAREER made a mockery of his opening turf handicap mark when strolling to victory at Ayr last month.
His jockey had the luxury of dropping his whip but it made no difference as he hammered his rivals over this trip.
The ground was softer that day but he doesn’t need it on breeding and looks a typical William Haggas improver.
He’s up 8lb for that smooth success but that won’t put the brakes on as there’s a lot more to come.
Archduke Ferdinand looks a fair each-way price with his rider’s claim taking him below his last winning mark.
He is best over this trip and likes fast ground.
Addison Grey made a promising start to his handicapping career when beaten less than a length at Chepstow nine days ago.
This trip suits and there’s more to come after just four runs.
Silver Samurai ran better than fifth place suggests at Doncaster latest. That was over seven furlongs but he has enough pace to figure.
Templegate’s tips
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