Horse racing tips: Ayr, Newbury, Bangor, Nottingham, Thirsk and Wolverhampton – Templegate’s betting preview for the racing on ITV this Saturday, April 21
Ayr, Newbury, Bangor, Nottingham, Thirsk and Wolverhampton come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day.
NEWBURY
2.00
GIVE consistent DANEHILL KODIAC a hug in the Jon Porter.
He caused a bit of a surprise when beating French Derby winner Waldgeist in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot in October.
There was nothing wrong with his subsequent third over today’s course and distance and it’s not hard to forgive his run in the Hong Kong Vase.
My fancy won first time out last season and likes easy ground. Defoe is the big danger. He rattled up a four-timer before flopping in the St Leger.
My main concern is that Roger Varian’s runners seem to be needing their first start of the season. Autocratic would need the ground to dry out and Call To Mind will find this trip too sharp.
2.35
TAJAANUS should pay for the drinks in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.
Richard Hannon’s filly won three of her five starts last season with her defeat of Juliet Capulet in a Newmarket Group 3 the pick of them.
Her disappointing effort in the May Hill at Doncaster over a mile was clearly not her form and today’s ground looks ideal.
Gavota was only third behind Juliet Capulet in a Group 2 at Newmarket in September before going within a neck of landing the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes.
A strict line through that form clearly gives Tajaanus the edge. Hikmaa - fifth in the Oh So Sharp - is also held on that form.
She was earlier behind both Juliet Capulet and Gavota in the Rockfel. She shouldn’t be good enough. All Out – a stablemate of Tajaanus – is best of the outsiders.
3.10
EXPERT EYE has the Greenham Stakes firmly in his sights.
He looked out of the top drawer when following up his Newbury maiden win by bolting up in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
A few minor problems kept him off the track until the Dewhurst at Newmarket in October when he clearly was nowhere near his best.
Sent off odds-on he trailed in last so it’s not wise to dwell too much on that result. Sir Michael Stoute has yet to train a winner this year but he’s sure to have this one ready.
Mill Reef winner James Garfield was back in fourth behind Expert Eye at Goodwood. This trip looks ideal but he lacks the potential to be top class.
Hey Gaman had a productive juvenile season. He should run well especially if he gets his own way out in front.
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3.45
THERE’S going to be a REPERCUSSION after the Spring Cup.
Charlie Fellowes’ stormed away to win a decent Newmarket handicap by five lengths last September. That was his first run in a tongue tie.
He was barged around when throwing down a challenge in the Lincoln. His finishing position of fifth doesn’t do him justice and the better ground should help.
Humbert went close in Spring Mile – the consolation race for the Lincoln – when beaten a neck. He had Taqdeer behind him and should be competitive again.
Afaak will be popular after pushing subsequent Lincoln winner Addeybb close in the Silver Cambridgeshire.
He had previously finished fourth behind Leader Writer at Ascot and that makes Henry Spiller’s runner very interesting.
Templegate's TV tips
1.45 Ayr - Double W's: 'He'll be much fresher today and that will help him'
2.00 Newbury - Danehill Kodiac: 'Won first time out last season and can do again'
2.20 Ayr - Keeper Hill: 'I'm convinced he has a decent prize in him'
2.35 Newbury - Tajaanus: 'Smart last season and can step up again'
2.55 Ayr - Verdana Blue: 'Waited all season for this quick ground'
3.10 Newbury - Expert Eye: 'Looked out of the top drawer last season'
3.30 Ayr - Peregrine Run: 'Goes best in these conditions'
3.45 Newbury - Repercussion: 'Unlucky in the Lincoln and can bounce back'
4.05 Ayr - Glencairn View: 'Promises to be even better over this trip'
AYR
1.45
IT’S time to Double up.
Ruth Jefferson’s DOUBLE W’S looked a smart prospect last season when seeing off Theinval to win a handicap chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.
He bombed out when pulled in this race but that came just a couple of days later and he’ll be much fresher this time having waited since January for the ground to turn.
Theinval again filled the runner-up spot in the same race at Aintree. If he turns up after running yesterday he would have to be considered but he doesn’t win as often as he should.
Duke Of Navan has a good record at this track. He had Double W’s behind when winning narrowly at Doncaster in January but I’m not sure that form tells the whole story.
Paul Nicholls’ pair Dolos and Romain De Senam will both appreciate the ground conditions.
2.20
MAKE sure you Keep this one to yourself.
I’m convinced KEEPER HILL has a decent prize in him. His form figures – fallen in his last two races – might not inspire confidence so I’m hoping his confidence hasn’t been affected.
He’d earlier won two of his first three chase starts and he was still going well in front when falling four from home in a race handed to Barney Dwan at Musselburgh.
Today’s trip on decent ground look his optimum conditions. Barney Dwan will also like the ground after finishing fourth behind Mister Whitaker at Cheltenham last month.
Dingo Dollar has taken well to fences. He’s won his last two races from the front and getting an easy lead won’t be straightforward.
I prefer Ladbroke Trophy fourth Braqueur D’Or – runner-up to Keeper Hill in December – to Mr Mix of Paul Nicholls’ two hopes.
2.55
I’M a true Blue in the QTS Scottish Champion Hurdle.
VERDANA BLUE has been waiting all season for quick ground. She looked good when winning at Ascot in November before returning to finish third in the Racing Welfare Hurdle before Christmas.
Those races were on ground softer than ideal and she also ran well to a point in awful conditions in the Betfair Hurdle. There’s every reason to think she’s nicely weighted now the sun is out.
Nicky Henderson also runs Supreme Novices’ Hurdle fifth Claimantakinforgan. He will also like the ground and clearly has a touch of class.
Beyond The Clouds beat Claimantakinforgan at Musselburgh in February. I’m not sure that’s reliable form and he’ll do well to confirm it even on 5lbs better terms.
It looks a wise move to return The Unit to hurdles and Gordon Elliott’s Brelade is another with some sort of chance.
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3.30
PEREGRINE RUN has won his last five races on ground that doesn’t have soft in the official description.
That includes three chases success and a hurdles defeat of smart Wholestone at Cheltenham last season.
Useful mare Mia’s Storm’s jumping fell apart in the Kauto Star Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. She’ll happier now the sun is shining.
Adrien Du Pont will also appreciate the drier conditions. He hasn’t progressed as expected over fences but he does have a hood on for the first time.
Bigmartre bombed out in disappointing fashion in the JLT Chase at Cheltenham. His previous form gives him a chance.
Templegate's TV tips
1.45 Ayr - Double W's: 'He'll be much fresher today and that will help him'
2.00 Newbury - Danehill Kodiac: 'Won first time out last season and can do again'
2.20 Ayr - Keeper Hill: 'I'm convinced he has a decent prize in him'
2.35 Newbury - Tajaanus: 'Smart last season and can step up again'
2.55 Ayr - Verdana Blue: 'Waited all season for this quick ground'
3.10 Newbury - Expert Eye: 'Looked out of the top drawer last season'
3.30 Ayr - Peregrine Run: 'Goes best in these conditions'
3.45 Newbury - Repercussion: 'Unlucky in the Lincoln and can bounce back'
4.05 Ayr - Glencairn View: 'Promises to be even better over this trip'
4.05
TAKE a View to a thrill in the Coral Scottish National.
Irish raider GLENCAIRN VIEW has hit form since stepping up to 3m and he promises to be even better over marathon distances.
He won well on heavy ground at Navan last month but his breeding suggests today’s better going will be no problem.
Vicente chases his third Scottish National win and conditions have come right for him. He saw off Cogry, Benbens and Alvarado 12 months ago and Paul Nicholls’ hope must have a great chance of completing the hat-trick.
Gold Present missed last week’s Grand National due to the testing ground so his chance has increased with every ray of sunshine to fall on Ayr this week.
Top weight is a hefty anchor but he’s always looked likely to develop into a National contender.
Gordon Elliott was successful with Tiger Roll at Aintree and he also landed the Irish version. Fagan must be in with a shout but his inexperience is a slight concern.
Useful novice Ballyoptic is more solid. He was a smart staying hurdler and his fourth in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham shows he’s likely to be just as good over fences.
The marathon trip should help him. Vintage Clouds and The Young Master are others to keep an eye on.
AYR
1.45 Double W’s
2.20 Keeper Hill
2.55 Verdana Blue
3.30 Peregrine Run
4.05 Glencairn View
4.40 Moon Racer
5.15 Cool Mix (nap)
5.50 New Moon
BANGOR
1.35 Middlebrow
2.10 Master Tradesman
2.45 Little Stevie
3.20 Ofcourseiwill
3.55 Am I Appropriate
4.30 Jack In The Box
5.00 Stop The World
5.35 Norman Stanley
PUNTERS' PROMISE
will this week start trialling a new bet guarantee offer on TV races for retail and online customers.
William Hill shops will lay customers to lose a minimum of £5,000 for win bets on all races that are shown on ITV Racing and online customers will be able to bet to win a minimum of £1,000 at the available price.
Both offers will be available on the day of the race from 10am onwards.
For early bird customers prices will be available on all ITV races at the 5 day declaration stage so customers can choose to bet at the early prices or have a guaranteed minimum bet on raceday.
Group Trading Director Terry Pattinson said: "William Hill recognise that some customers are frustrated by not being able to get a sizeable bet on televised races, while we also want to ensure that early prices are there for our recreational customers and are not picked off by the few.
"We hope this offer appeals to both groups and the bet guarantee will apply to customers who may have been restricted in the past."
NEWBURY
1.25 Humbolt Current
2.00 Danehill Kodiac
2.35 Tajaanus
3.10 Expert Eye
3.45 Repercussion
4.20 He’s Amazing
4.55 Young Rascal
5.30 Pivoine
NOTTINGHAM
4.35 Culloden
5.10 Delft Dancer
5.40 Al Muffrih
6.15 Prediction
6.45 Mount Moriah (nb)
7.15 Prying Pandora
7.45 Rossall
THIRSK
1.55 Wasntexpectingthat
2.30 Kody Ridge
3.05 Commander Cole
3.40 John Kirkup
4.15 Tuff Rock (treble)
4.50 Zaaki
5.25 Ayutthaya
5.55 Naples Bay
WOLVERHAMPTON
6.00 It Must Be Faith
6.30 Sky Gypsy
7.00 Archie
7.30 Adventureman
8.00 Elysees
8.30 Ghostwatch
9.00 Air Ministry