Horse racing tips: Newbury, Doncaster, Chelmsford and Southwell – Templegate’s betting preview for ITV4’s racing on Friday, December 1
Newbury, Doncaster, Chelmsford and Southwell come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
THE two Harrys look a perfect marriage in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle (3.00) at Newbury.
Top staying hurdler UNOWHATIMEANHARRY – trained by Harry Fry – should put his fitness to good use against Thistlecrack.
1.50: Where there’s a Will there’s a pay.
WILLOUGHBY COURT did not impress with his jumping on his chase debut at Huntingdon.
His downfall was probably the right-handed track so it was some effort to still manage to come home in front.
The form has also worked out nicely and Ben Pauling’s ace can only improve for that first experience of fences.
His Cheltenham Festival victory in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle shows what an engine he’s got and today’s ground should be ideal.
Willoughby Court’s hurdles form does not match Yanworth’s brace of open Grade 1s last season but it’s worth remembering he was only runner-up in the 2016 Neptune.
His fall at Exeter last time does not bother me as his jumping is generally good but he is worth taking on at the prices.
Adrien Du Pont needs to take a big step forward but that’s not impossible.
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2.25: Go for the Odd one out.
SPACE ODDITY bumped into smart prospect Benatar at Ascot last time. That was a fine effort against some unexposed novices and he looks nicely treated after going up just a couple of pounds.
With trainer Harry Fry banging in the winners he looks a good bet.
Ridgeway Flyer only beat one horse at Taunton last time but that was his fourth win on the spin. If the ground isn’t too soft he should run well.
Jameson and Willie Boy have both taken well to fences but O O Seven might be vulnerable off top weight having shown his hand last time.
Vibrato Valtat is dropping in the weights but it remains to be seen if today’s ground is what he wants.
3.00: UNOWHATIMEANHARRY is a knock-out bet in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle.
He’s undoubtedly the top British staying hurdler. His progression since joining Harry Fry has been quite astonishing.
His only defeat for his current trainer came when third in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle last season and his comeback Aintree success over an inadequate 2m4f was a nice performance.
He has to give 6lbs to top-class Thistlecrack. He was the best staying hurdler of his day before switching to fences last season with great success.
Injury ruled him out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and this has to be a sighter ahead of a defence of his King George crown.
I’m sure the weight Unowhatimeanharry has to give Thistlecrack is more than made up for as he’s race-fit.
Colin’s Sister beat Wholestone at Wetherby four weeks ago. Both need to step up to trouble my fancy.
3.35: Go where BENEAGLES dares.
I’ve no doubt he has the ability to take a race like this and hopefully the visor he wears for the first time will do the trick.
My fancy came home well when third in a similar race over today’s course and distance last month and looks the type to appreciate a bit of headgear.
Whataknight was just ahead of Beneagles last time. He is pretty consistent but he seems to lack the pace to get his head in front where it matters.
Boyhood definitely has a bright future but he needs to prove he genuinely stays this far.
Oscarteea will like the returns to hurdles and Hello George is another in with a shout.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Newbury - Willoughby Court: 'Form of chase win has worked out well and he can improve for that experience'
2.25 Newbury - Space Oddity: 'Bumped into smart prospect Benatar last time and still looks nicely treated'
3.00 Newbury - Unowhatimeanharry: 'Undoubtedly the top British staying hurdler and has the fitness edge over Thistlecrack'
3.35 Newbury - Beneagles: 'Has the ability to take a race like this and the visor he wears for the first time can do the trick'
CHELMSFORD
5.45 Phalaborwa
6.15 Dance Emperor (treble)
6.45 Any Little Rhyme
7.15 Alba Del Sole
7.45 Inuk
8.15 Samharry
8.45 Send Up
9.15 Dangerous Ends
DONCASTER
12.00 Bardista
12.30 No Ceiling
1.00 Rio Bravo
1.30 Gibbes Bay
2.00 Drumlee Sunset
2.35 Ueueteotl
3.10 Invisible Couds
NEWBURY
12.20 Lostintranslation (nb)
12.50 Cyrname
1.20 Chef Des Obeaux
1.50 Willoughby Court
2.25 Space Oddity (nap)
3.00 Unowhatimeanharry
3.35 Beneagles
SOUTHWELL
12.10 Swift Cedar
12.40 Muqarred
1.10 Isstoora
1.40 Pearl Nation
2.10 Swot
2.45 First Excel
3.20 Seaview