Racing Tips – Top Tipster Templegate’s TV horse racing tips for Saturday, February 25
Kempton Park, Lingfield and Newcastle all come under the spotlight as Templegate tries to find a host of winners on a busy Saturday
GET the latest tips ahead of a busy day of racing from across the country.
Top tipster Templegate guides you through the cards from Kempton Park, Lingfield and Newcastle on Saturday, February 25.
KEMPTON TIPS
1.50
IT should be a good Evening for Evan Williams.
The Welsh trainer’s EVENING HUSH looked a really smart filly when scoring at Exeter and Aintree on her first two hurdles starts.
She is likely to go off fast in front. If the others give her any amount of rope I fancy her to hold them off round this sharpish track.
She probably went too quick early on give the ground was testing when she chased home Triumph Hurdle favourite Defi Du Seuil at Chepstow over Christmas. I think she must have a decent chance of topping hot favourite Charli Parcs.
He easily saw off Master Blueyes over course and distance on his British debut. Today’s decent ground will help but I’m happy to take a chance on Evening Hush at the prices.
The likely strong pace will suit Flying Tiger and East Indies but both will have to take pretty big steps forward.
2.25
PAUL NICHOLLS should continue his domination of the Pendil Chase.
The champion trainer has won this novices’ contest an incredible eight times in the last 11 years.
His FRODON has plenty of experienced for a five-year-old. He rattled up a hat-trick of chase wins in the autumn and he went on to land the valuable Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December.
There’s no doubt he got the run of the race out in front when scoring at Musselburgh but that should have set him up nicely for today.
Charmix is the big threat. He was a bit unlucky when unseating at Exeter last time and I’m expecting Frodon to allow him to lead. But he goes very well on testing ground and today’s surface might not suit him as well.
Gold Present looked good on his chase debut. If he can put a wretched Boxing Day effort over course and distance behind him he would have to have a chance.
3.00
THE Cap fits in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle.
It was surprising to see CAPITAINE ridden behind the pace when runner-up to top prospect Finian’s Oscar in Sandown’s Tolworth Hurdle last month. The ground was probably too testing for him but he had been so impressive when making all the running to beat Captain Forez at Ascot the change of tactics was a little puzzling.
Today’s faster ground should suit him much better and there doesn’t appear to be much competition for the pace-setter’s role. His slick hurdling should make him hard to pass.
River Wylde is unbeaten in two hurdles starts. This is his acid test but he deserves a crack at this level.
I’ve got a lot of time for Peter The Mayo Man. He’s going to be a cracking chaser and he lost little in defeat when runner up behind Lough Derg Spirit at Musselburgh last time. The ground will suit him but I’m a little concerned the track might not be ideal.
Elgin is the one I fear most. He was no match for smart Neon Wolf in the mud at Haydock last time but his previous course and distance success gives him a live chance.
3.35
MINE’S a Double in the Betbright Chase.
DOUBLE SHUFFLE looked to improve a stack when stepped up to three miles over course and distance. That Christmas victory was his first run when wearing a hood and he looks capable of even better.
I’ve a feeling trainer Tom George – who saddled Nacarat to win this race twice – has saved Double Shuffle for this prize.
Last year’s winner Theatre Guide must have a decent chance of retaining the pot. He won a cracking battle with Grand National hope Perfect Candidate at Cheltenham in December and wasn’t disgraced in the Welsh National.
Viva Steve is another in with shout. He had some good form for Mick Channon and he hit the target at the first time of asking for Fergal O’Brien. Warwick’s Classic Chase was too much for his stamina and this race should suit him much better.
The handicapper seems to have caught up with Ballykan but Irish Saint could go close if his stamina lasts out. He has been successful on all three previous visits to this track.
Opening Batsman – winner of this race in 2013 and runner-up last year - appears past his best.
Templegate's TV Tips
- Kempton 1.50: Evening Hush
- Lingfield 2.05: Pretend
- Kempton 2.25: Frodon
- Kempton 3.00: Capitaine
- Lingfield 3.15: Mutakayyef
- Kempton 3.35: Double Shuffle
LINGFIELD TIPS
2.05
THERE’S nothing fake about PRETEND.
He won a Listed contest over track and trip last year and he went on to score over six furlongs at the big Good Friday meeting.
Charlie Appleby’s speedster was way too good for his rivals at Kempton on his return in January and he found all sorts of trouble last time.
He was hampered early in the race and didn’t find much room at any time. To finish within a length of the winner Lancelot Du Lac was a fine effort in the circumstances. He’ll have little trouble reversing that form with a 3lb pull.
Boom The Groom finished in front of my fancy that day. It’s hard to see him repeating it if Pretend gets a clear run.
French import Ride Like The Wind is the interesting runner. He’s been gelded since joining Kevin Ryan but he might be better over slightly further.
3.15
MUTAKAYYEF looks far too good for his rivals in the Winter Derby.
He has to give at least 5lb away all round but I can’t see that being a problem. After becoming a little frustrating he improved last summer when landing an Ascot Group 2 before hitting the frame in the top-level Juddmonte International at York in August.
There’s a chance William Haggas’ six-year-old could develop into a proper Group 1 horse.
Battalion ran well when attempting to land a course-and-distance hat-trick in the trial for this race three weeks ago.
Convey has plenty of decent form. If being gelded does the trick he could go well.
Grendisar won this race 12 months ago but hasn’t been in the same form this winter. He has some blinkers on for the first time.
NEWCASTLE TIPS
2.45
I’M a big Knocka fan in the Eider Chase.
KNOCKANRAWLEY was a promising novice a couple of years ago. He made a good comeback from 15 months off the track when fifth behind One For Arthur in the Classic Chase at Warwick last month.
That run came when Kim Bailey was struggling for winners and he has his team in top form now.
Shotgun Paddy – runner-up in this race 12 months ago – was in front of my fancy at Warwick. He likes testing ground and is really well weighted. I rate him as the main danger.
Kerry Lee’s pair Russe Blanc and Mountainous will love the testing conditions. Both returned to form last time out and neither should be ruled out.
Emperor’s Choice is another mud-lover. But he’s been miles below his best this season and might just have had enough. He wears blinkers for the first time.
Streets Of Promise is another with plenty of form on heavy ground. She is another in with a shout after a promising comeback run last time.
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