Templegate’s horse racing tips: Kempton, Lingfield and Newcastle live on ITV – betting preview for Saturday’s racing
KEMPTON
1.15
COMMANCHE RED looked a chaser to follow when winning by nine lengths here on Boxing Day.
He jumped really well on just his third start over fences and the form has been franked by the second, third and fourth all winning since. He steps up in grade but has plenty to offer.
Master Tommytucker won well here in November but it’s hard to overlook the fact that he’s fallen on two of his three chase runs.
Before his tumble at the fourth last, he was jumping well and going strongly in Grade 1 company. There should be a lot more to come if he can complete his race but that’s not a given at the moment.
Southfield Stone didn’t have a lot to beat at Musselburgh earlier this month but he did it well and this trip suits. It’s still early days over fences and he could take another step forward.
Who Dares Wins was hampered when a beaten odds-on shot at Plumpton last time. He was a solid second on his chase debut here in November but has a little to find.
1.50
SOLO can edge out fellow French import Fujimoto Flyer on his debut for Paul Nicholls.
Both horses were last seen winning well at Auteuil on the other side of the Channel and each looks capable of better.
Solo really just hacked around to win by 15 lengths and enjoyed the testing ground. This slight drop in distance won’t be a problem.
Fujimoto Flyer already has a Listed win to her name on the back of a win on hurdles debut at Killarney.
She wasn’t much for Emmet Mullins on the Flat but already looks a very different prospect as a hurdler. Her weight allowance looks an asset and there won’t be a lot between the front two in the market.
On form, Fantastic Ms Fox is the clear pick of the home team after a Listed success at Doncaster last month. She was well on top there and deserves her chance in this company.
The dark one in the field is Blame It On Sally who is a fair handicapper on the Flat with a couple of staying wins to her name. Alan King is throwing him into the deep end for this hurdles debut so he must think plenty of him.
2.25
SONG FOR SOMEONE can land his first Graded win after showing good form in hot handicaps.
He ran his best race so far when second to Thomas Darby at Ascot last time and he gets a bit further which could be an asset in the conditions.
Ch’tibello is warming up for another crack at the County Hurdle he won last March. He’s not scored since then but held his own in a couple of hotter races than this so won’t be far away.
Diego Du Charmil returns to hurdles for the first time since 2017. Since then he has developed into a quality chaser with a Grade 1 win to his name.
He wasn’t up to this level over timber but has obviously improved since so could figure.
Elgin could well be the best horse in the race but he hasn’t run over timber since his excellent fifth behind Buveur D’Air in the 2018 Champion Hurdle. Given his last run of any sort was 589 days ago, he’ll surely need this.
3.02
BUZZ was useful on the Flat and has translated that form to hurdles with two cosy wins.
He was value for further that the neck winning margin at Doncaster last time on the back of a game debut success at Taunton. He shapes as though there’s a lot more to come.
Highway One O Two managed to win easily at Plumpton last month despite pulling Leighton Aspell’s arms out for much of the race. He’ll have to settle better here but has lots of ability and can push the tip all the way.
Kid Commando is another to land an easy win at the Sussex track on his latest start. That was his debut so he could take a big step forward.
West Cork didn’t see a rival when winning at Huntingdon when soft ground suited well. This is clearly tougher but the potential is there.
3.35
A slight drop in the weights and better ground give BLACK CORTON every chance of landing his first win of the season.
He almost won the Galway Plate off 1lb lower in August before a couple of good runs at Ascot, including when a fair fourth in the Silver Cup there last time.
The going was on the testing side there and he should be nice and fresh after two months off. His two wins and two seconds from four runs shows his liking for Kempton.
Whatmore was a solid third in a Warwick Grade 2 last time on his first run over three miles. He stayed well enough and looks on a fair weight.
Just A Sting won well here last time and can’t be discounted with just 3lb more on his back over an ideal distance. This ground suits too.
Kildisart has dropped to just 3lb higher than his Grade 3 win at Aintree’s Grand National meeting last year and the better ground is also in his favour.
Adrien Du Pont saves his best for Kempton and he was third in this 12 months ago from a similar mark.
LINGFIELD
2.05
FURIOUS lost her race with a slow start at Chelmsford last time but she has plenty of all-weather wins to her name and her best form over this distance would give her a good chance.
She hasn’t tried Lingfield before but she is still going in the right direction.
Watchable won a decent handicap at Wolverhampton 14 days ago and struck on his last run over this trip and track. He’s 10 now but has plenty of enthusiasm and has each-way hopes.
Royal Birth was third in that race but trainer Stuart Williams is having plenty of winners at present. He could figure in the fight for places.
Hareem Queen saves her best for Southwell so should find this surface a little quick.
3.15
FRANKIE Dettori can land his fourth Winter Derby from just six attempts on DUBAI WARRIOR. There was so much to like about the way John Gosden’s hopeful galloped away from his rivals to win a Listed contest here in late December.
He looks the type to relish a strong pace and he should get that here with stablemate Court House likely to go from the front. The master trainer has won with almost 40% of his runners at Leafy in the past year and can strike again.
Bangkok is the obvious threat after he scooted to victory in the trial for this on his all-weather debut here last time. That was impressive and he’s tasted success at this Group 3 level before.
It should be a good battle between the big two.
Court House looks likely to hold on for third as he’s a cut above some of the other runners in the field.
NEWCASTLE
2.45
FORTIFIED BAY has looked a real stayer in landing wins at Market Rasen and especially so around here last time.
He improved as the race went on over three miles and he gives the strong impression that he’ll have enough petrol for this trip.
Petite Power is one of those horses that keeps plodding on and that served him well when third in the Warwick Classic last month. He loves it heavy and looks a safe each-way bet from 1lb lower.
Prime Venture was a good fourth in the Welsh National and is another who should enjoy going back up in distance.
Financial Outcome was a solid third in the mud at Uttoxeter after a good win at Doncaster. He’s had a breathing operation that could unlock his staying power.
Very First Time has won three of his past four chases, including in good style at Donny latest. Bridget Andrews timed her challenge well there and can’t be dismissed despite going up the weights.
KEMPTON
12.40 Storm Arising
1.15 Commanche Red
1.50 Solo (nb)
2.25 Song For Someone
3.02 Buzz
3.35 Black Corton (treble)
4.10 Keep Wondering
4.45 Bothwell Bridge
LINGFIELD
1.30 Toro Dorado
2.05 Good Effort
2.40 Bombshell
3.15 DUBAI WARRIOR (NAP)
3.50 Almufti
4.25 Pirate King
4.55 Behind The Wall
NEWCASTLE
1.35 Southeast Rose
2.10 Dunly
2.45 Fortified Bay
3.20 Stainsby Girl
3.55 McGowan’s Pass
4.30 Zolfo
5.05 Elf De Re
CHELMSFORD
5.30 Golden Fountain
6.00 Stormy Mountain
6.30 Nonios
7.00 Windsorlot
7.30 Time To Strike
8.00 Restless Rose