TEMPLEGATE tackles a blockbuster Saturday of racing confident of landing some punts – after tipping up a monstrous 14-1 NAP on Friday.
Back a horse by clicking their odds – and check out his Arc de Triomphe ante-post tip and 1-2 prediction.
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AMERICAN AFFAIR (3.35 Ayr, nap)
Local trainer Jim would love to win this big prize and has a huge chance with this four-year-old who is going from strength to strength. He has not been out of the first three all season and was at his best to take the red-hot Portland Handicap at Doncaster last weekend. That victory was all the more impressive because he had the door slammed in his face a couple of times before showing real pace to get the job done. He loves to chase a strong pace and that’s 100 per cent guaranteed in this huge field. All ground comes the same and he’ll go close again under a 5lb penalty for that Town Moore success.
CHILLINGHAM (2.05 Newbury, nb)
Can warm us up by winning the Autumn Cup. He went for home far too soon in the Ebor last time and couldn’t sustain the crazy gallop up the long straight. Ed Bethell’s stayer is better judged on his third at York’s Dante meeting and he’s had a welcome nudge down the weights. William Buick takes over in the saddle today and he is sure to measure the pace better.
SHADOW OF LIGHT (3.15 Newbury, treble)
He looked a potential star when going down in a tight finish for the Gimcrack at York last time out. Charlie Appleby’s colt finished ahead of Symbol Of Strength on the Knavesmire and he was a convincing Group 3 winner last time. He reopposes today but the Godolphin runner looks a cut above and can take another step forward.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWBURY
1.30
ALBASHEER was almost knocked over in the Portland at Doncaster last week so did well to make the frame.
There should be plenty of pace on again here, which he likes, and he can make up for that unlucky run under Hollie Doyle.
Annaf found the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup too much last time when being hampered didn’t help. He won a Group 2 in Saudi before that and his best form would take him close on this drop in trip.
Adaay In Devon is one of the most consistent sprinters around and was on the premises again in Listed company at Pontefract latest.
He prefers this shorter trip and goes on any ground. He has live place claims again.
Relief Rally won the Super Sprint here the last time he tackled this distance and was a solid second when last seen in May. He’s fresh and is another danger.
2.05
CHILLINGHAM has the benefit of William Buick taking over in the saddle and that could make the difference for Ed Bethell’s five-year-old.
He paid the price after kicking for home too far out in the Ebor at York last time and couldn’t sustain the mad gallop.
He had earlier shaped well on the Knavesmire and at Ripon and the forecast rain is right up his street as he likes some cut in the ground.
Waxing Gibbous was just pipped in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock last time. She was a game winner on her last visit here in May and has plenty of staying power.
Ithaca’s Arrow looks a big each-way price after his easy win in the mud at Chester last time, while Lieber Power is consistent and could improve for this step up in distance after his unlucky York second.
2.40
QUIETNESS has gone from strength to strength this season and landed another nice prize at Beverley last month.
She was in battle for a good half-mile there but kept pulling out more which bodes well for this stronger company. She goes on any ground and the booking of Oisin Murphy catches the eye.
Canoodled enjoyed stepping up to this trip when landing a hot York handicap last time. She’s up 5lb but had a fair bit in hand so should be competitive.
Flying Frontier finished strongly to score over this distance at Sandown and should be in the mix again.
Involvement was less than half a length behind him there and is 2lb better off at the weights today so could turn that form around.
Fantasy Believer is right back to his best with three wins in a row and a four-timer is not out of the question.
3.15
SHADOW OF LIGHT looked a good prospect when winning a couple of maidens and proved it with a battling second in the Group 2 Gimcrack at York last time.
He finished strongly there but the line came too soon. The slower ground may make this a slightly stiffer stamina test which should be ideal for Charlie Appleby’s colt.
Defence Minister steps up in class after two modest wins but he’s done it well and looks capable of a lot better under James Doyle.
Powerful Glory looked good when scooting in at Pontefract on debut and connections think a lot of him. We’ll find out more today.
Symbol Of Strength was a close third in the Gimcrack before landing a Group 3 on the sand at Kempton. He has more to come and has solid each-way claims.
AYR
1.15
MIRSKY looks ready to win after just being denied in hot company at York last time.
That was over this trip and a 2lb rise in the weights looks fair. He goes on any ground and will be right there.
Aragon Castle has gone well all season and was just two lengths off the pace behind Mirsky on the Knavesmire. His last win came over this mile and he can go close again for Andrew Balding with ground no issue.
Obelix was well on top at Haydock two Saturdays ago over this distance. The handicapper has been fair with him too and he seems to have improved for wearing a hood.
Apiarist is never far away even if he hasn’t scored yet this season. He was beaten less than a length at York 13 days ago and is back from the same mark with an each-way shout.
Yantarini didn’t show much at Windsor last time but he’d been in fine form earlier including when short-headed in good company at Ascot. A repeat of that would give him a chance.
Revich is bang out of form but has won this race twice so could bounce back at long odds.
1.50
PHANTOM FLIGHT was a good second in the Strensall Stakes at York last time and can go one better.
She gave a Group 1 filly a real race there and saw out the trip strongly so this extra furlong holds no fears. She is proven in this grade and only really soft ground would be a worry.
Enfjaar was behind her in the Strensall but has top quality handicap form and it’s too early to write him off.
Persica wasn’t disgraced when third in a Windsor Group 3 last time. He is best with some cut in the ground so rain would boost his chances.
Sir Busker is at the veteran stage now but dug deep to win a big handicap at York last month. He’ll have to find more upped in class again.
Eydon was off for two years after his fourth in the 2022 2,000 Guineas. He was lame in the Winter Derby when last seen in February so is probably best watched for now.
Caviar Heights and Sons And Lovers are both solid but need to raise their game.
2.25
ALFA KELLENIC made it five wins in a row in a big field at York last time.
That was her second short-head win in a row after taking a hot contest over course and distance in July. She’s back with a 5lb penalty with every chance again.
Kings Merchant did well to strike at Thirsk last time after severe traffic problems. All his wins have been on quick ground for in-form trainer Ed Bethell and he can make his presence felt again.
Old favourite Summerghand was beaten less than two lengths at The Curragh latest when coming home quickly. He’s now 13lb below his last win and took the Gold Cup here just two years ago.
Brooklyn Nine Nine found the line coming too quickly over the minimum at Ascot last time when an excellent second. This longer trip will help and the handicapper has left his mark alone.
Aramram had plenty in the tank at Doncaster last week and is back without a penalty. This is a hotter race but he has place claims.
Bergerac ran well in the Portland on the St Leger card and goes on any ground. He’s one of many with an each-way squeak.
3.00
ENGLEMERE held her own in this grade across the Channel last time on the back of a good Listed success at Newbury.
She has loads of pace for this trip and can take another step up today.
Sky Majesty caught the eye when getting up on the line to win on debut. William Haggas’s filly is bred to be classy and we should see a lot more today.
Stormy Impact has been second on all three starts but is no forlorn hope for Richard Fahey in this stronger company.
Stablemate Guns Firing is another nice prospect who got her head in front at Doncaster in July. She was still green on Town Moor so should have more to offer.
Grande Marques didn’t have a lot to beat at Navan latest but did it well enough. This is a taller order.
Maw Lam has lots of speed but has a bad habit of missing the break as she did in the Flying Childers at Donny last week.
She was third in the Queen Mary so the engine is there if she can break better which is not a given.
3.35
AMERICAN AFFAIR overcame all sorts of trouble in running to win the Portland Handicap against 21 rivals at Doncaster last weekend.
He loves to travel behind a strong pace and they will be putting their foot down from the off here. He is back under a penalty and is proven over this slightly longer trip.
Rohaan was an unlucky seventh in this race 12 months ago and is back from a much lower handicap mark.
He didn’t get the breaks when third at Ascot last time and would be dangerous if things drop nicely for him.
Sergeant Wilko landed a winning hat-trick at Goodwood last time with all three victories over this trip. Another 5lb on his back still gives him a chance and some rain would be welcome.
Jordan Electrics has won five times at Hamilton this season but likes other tracks too as he showed when just pipped at York latest. He’s scored here before and will be a threat.
Room Service likes this trip as he showed when scoring at Pontefract last time out in July.
He comes here fresh and has had a wind op which may bring some improvement. He’s up the weights but is a contender, especially if the ground eases.
Lethal Levi likes to go from the front and was in winning form at Newbury latest. He’s likely to be collared but could hold on for an extra place.
Mostabshir was a good fourth in the Stewards’ Cup latest and a repeat of that would give him a chance.
Ramazan is another to consider after winning on his side in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon latest.
Templegate’s tips
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