TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday's racing confident of finding some winners on a top class day of action.
Read on for our man's tips, back a horse by clicking their odds and book your place at Sun Racing's Cheltenham Festival preview night.
SAINT CALVADOS (3.00 Kempton, nap)
He can put his head in front taking a drop in class. He signed off last season with a good Grade 2 win at Sandown and he’s been solid this season.
No disrespect to his amateur rider/owner David Maxwell but it’s a plus that Harry Cobden gets back on board today and he was in the plate for that Oaksey Chase win.
HANSARD (3.40 Kempton, nb)
He caught the eye when making it three wins in a row at Plumpton last time. He kept producing more when challenged and was value for further than the two-length margin.
This is a much hotter contest but he’s progressing with every run and looks well up to it.
KITTY’S LIGHT (3.25 Newcastle, treble)
He loves a marathon like this as he showed when second in last year’s Scottish National before a cracking third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
This is the first time since then he’s gone beyond three miles and that, along with the decent ground, is a real plus. He’s tumbled down the weights and trainer Christian Williams won this last year.
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Templegate's complete guide to the ITV action
LINGFIELD
1.30
ALLIGATOR ALLEY got caught out by the muddling pace at Wolver last time but that shouldn’t be a problem today with several front-runners in the field.
He earlier landed a hat-trick of wins over this trip and can go close.
Tone The Barone got the better of him last time but his general form is a little short of this standard so he needs his best again.
Miss Nay Never has been in fine form at Chelmsford with three wins and this is her best distance. She gets a handy 5lb fillies’ allowance which brings her right into this.
Arecibo doesn’t win as often as he should but he has lots of pace and can’t be ruled out having his first all-weather run for three years.
One Night Stand won this 12 months ago but has been out of form since.
Exalted Angel looks a much bigger threat after a run of placed efforts. He needs the first-time visor and this drop in distance to do the trick.
2.05
If LORD NORTH can run anywhere near his best after eight months off, he’ll blow these rivals out of the water.
He was second to Alenquer in this last year before that classy performer went on to land Group 1 honours in Ireland.
Lord North won the £1.5m Dubai Turf in March and takes a welcome drop in class after his last run when fourth in the Coral-Eclipse in July.
Two fellow John Gosden inmates can give him most to think about. Forest Of Dean won this in 2021 and scored at Newcastle last month just ahead of Harrovian.
There won’t be a lot between them again and they should both come on for that run.
Tyrrhenian Sea looks the only other threat to the favourite. All his wins have been over a mile and he spent most of last season tackling that distance.
He was a good third in hot company at York in August before not enjoying soft ground on his final two runs of the season. He has gone well enough on his two all-weather outings but they were at a lesser level to this.
KEMPTON
1.50
SCRIPTWRITER was just edged out in a thrilling finish for the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham last time.
He travelled strongly and jumped well before a ding-dong with a useful Irish raider in Comfort Zone.
He battled right to the line and trainer Milton Harris won this 12 months ago so knows what is needed.
Comfort Zone trainer Joseph O’Brien runs Nusret who scored on hurdles debut at Punchestown and was a good third at Fairyhouse last month. He needs to improve but is capable of doing so.
Paul Nicholls has high hopes for Flat winner Rare Middleton who scored over timber at Taunton. He didn’t win by much but it looked cosy and there’s a lot more to come.
Similar comments apply to Sarsons Risk who was a convincing Doncaster winner jumping a hurdle for the first time. He can build on that.
Perseus Way is another to note for the Moores. He was third in good company at Chepstow before scoring at Huntingdon. This is tougher but he has potential.
2.25
BOOTHILL can bounce back from his blip when second at Doncaster last time.
It was still a fair run and he was impressive when landing the Grade 2 Wayward Lad here at the Christmas meeting.
He could well improve for this step up in distance and trainer Harry Fry has sent out a couple of winners already this week.
Datsalrightgino rates a big danger after an improved effort in second at Cheltenham latest. That was first chase effort over this distance and it clearly suited.
Solo has had a wind op since a solid second in good company here on Boxing Day. There is no doubting his stamina and trainer Paul Nicholls has been making positive noises about his home work.
Jay Jay Reilly enjoyed himself when scoring here earlier this month despite ploughing through the second-last. This is a hotter contest but his liking for the track is a plus.
3.00
SAINT CALVADOS can put his head in front taking a drop in class. He signed off last season with a good Grade 2 win at Sandown and he’s been solid this season.
No disrespect to his amateur-rider owner David Maxwell but it’s a plus that Harry Cobden gets back on board today and he was in the plate for that Oaksey Chase win.
Our Power was hampered a couple of times when third in this last season before a good fifth at the Cheltenham Festival.
He’s fresh from a break after winning at Ascot in October and relishes this trip. He looks a big danger.
Annsam had 17 lengths to spare when scoring over course and distance last month. He relished the deep ground there but doesn’t mind it quicker and a 7lb rise in the weights gives him a chance.
Cap Du Nord took this 12 months ago from an 8lb lower mark and ran his best race since when scoring at Ascot last Saturday. He has a useful claimer in the saddle and is dangerous.
3.40
HANSARD caught the eye when making it three wins in a row at Plumpton last time.
He kept producing more when challenged and was value for further than the two-length margin. This is a much hotter contest but he’s progressing with every run and looks well up to it.
Rubaud saw his fine run of form ending with a poor effort in the red-hot Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last weekend.
Paul Nicholls wastes no time in turning him out again and the first-time hood can help him to settle.
He has plenty of pace who could easily bounce back.
Mullenbeg won three on the spin before not getting the run of the race at Cheltenham last time. This trip suits and he has each-way prospects.
Imperial Bede quickened nicely when scoring at Huntingdon latest. That was just his second run over hurdles so he should have more to offer although his sights are raised today.
Ukantango found the ground too slow at Cheltenham last time but was in fine form earlier, including when second in a Grade 2. A repeat of that form gives him every chance.
NEWCASTLE
3.25
KITTY’S LIGHT loves a marathon like this as he showed when second in last year’s Scottish National before a cracking third in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
This is the first time since then he’s gone beyond three miles and that, along with the decent ground, is a real plus.
He’s tumbled down the weights and trainer Christian Williams won this last year.
The Galloping Bear was poised for a place before falling four out in the Welsh National at Christmas.
He usually jumps well and is another with loads of stamina.
Bushypark stayed every yard of 3m6f when winning the North Yorkshire National at Catterick last month.
He is an excellent jumper who likes to force the pace and he will take a bit of pegging back despite an 8lb rise in the weights.
In Rem finished strongly when third at Chepstow latest when a late error proved costly.
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This extra mile should be right up his street and he has place claims.
Sam’s Adventure won this in 2021 and is a full stone lower in the handicap here. He won well at Catterick latest and looks set for a bold bid.
Templegate's tips
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