TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday's racing confident of banging in some winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure (UK only). Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get... Become a member today for just £1*. *For the first month then £3 per month thereafter.
SIGN UP NOW. 18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. UK only. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk. SHUTUPSHIRLEY (1.50 Newbury, nap). He was impressive when winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day after two years off. He’s had another little break since then and has lots of staying power for this trip. He could be well ahead of the handicapper.
JOYEUSE (3.35 Newbury, nb). He is improving and was a little unlucky not to score on handicap debut at Cheltenham last time when hampered. The drop in trip is no worry and connections won this last year. SHAKEM UP’ARRY (3.15 Warwick, treble). He is only 4lb higher than his Plate success at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. He fell early when making his veterans’ chase debut at Cheltenham last time and has been given a little break. His best form would take him very close.
Templegate's TV verdicts. NEWBURY. SHUTUPSHIRLEY was impressive when winning at Fontwell on Boxing Day after two years off. He’s had another little break since then and has lots of staying power for this trip. He could be well ahead of the handicapper. Haiti Coleurs has been in great form over fences and is good over hurdles too. He can make his mark tackling the smaller obstacles again. Up For Parol enjoyed the mud at Ffos Las and would be a threat if repeating that in these quicker conditions.
Similar comments apply to Magical King who ran well at Haydock last time. Kruger Park ran a good race at Uttoxeter and is another to consider in this wide open contest. THIS is the best chance BRAVEMANSGAME has had for a long time and he should take it. He was a solid third in the Betfair Chase before joining most of the field in blowing out in the King George last time. He’s short of the top level these days but likes this trip and track the first-time tongue strap may help.
Djelo was impressive when winning the Peterborough in December but was well short of that effort at Windsor three weeks ago. Huntingdon may have been his cup final but he can’t be dismissed. Paul Nicholls’ other hope Hitman has been second in the past two runnings of this and is likely to hit the frame again. Le Patron was a Grade 1 winner as a novice and won a handicap here on his seasonal debut.
He was poor last time and must prove he stays this trip. WITH Sir Gino at home in his box, this is a great chance for MATATA to back up his impressive victory at Windsor. He went from the front and never saw a danger. He tanked along like a classy chaser and jumped well. That backed up his neck second at Kelso in Decemberwhen he was trying to give weight away in bottomless ground. This trip and going are ideal and he could take another step up.
Edwardstone will keep him honest after another decent effort behind Jonbon at Ascot. He won this race 12 months ago and is still a force below the highest level. Libberty Hunter was good at Cheltenham last time but needs to raise his game again. JOYEUSE is improving and was a little unlucky not to score on handicap debut at Cheltenham last time when hampered. The drop in trip is no worry and connections won this last year.
That was with Iberico Lord who has more weight this time but could nick a place. Secret Squirrel was impressive at Windsor last time and can figure if repeating that on this more galloping track. Favour And Fortune needed the run at Ascot and should show up better. Aucunrisque is on a fair weight and won this two years ago so is another with place claims. WARWICK. L’EAU DU SUD has almost become the forgotten novice chaser since the emergence of Sir Gino but he can show why he’s third favourite for the Arkle here.
He has already struck in Grade 1 company for trainer Dan Skelton when winning the Henry VII easily at Sandown in December. He jumped well there and at Cheltenham when taking another hot race in November. There’s nothing in this line-up to have shown anything like his quality and he’s hard to fault over an ideal trip with a bit of give in the ground. Rubaud was a top-class hurdler but he hit the deck when a mile behind Sir Gino on his chase debut at Kempton last time.
He’s clearly better than that but it’s asking a lot for him to beat the jolly after that false start. Tedley has lots of experience over fences but is no more than a fair handicapper. Riskintheground was last in a bog standard novice chase at Ascot last time so this looks a very tall order. GALA MARCEAU was a Grade 1 winner before joining Willie Mullins and she was far from disgraced behind Lossiemouth in the big Festivals last season.
