DONCASTER
2.05
I’M praying SAINTED bounces backed to form.
She looked well up to this level when bolting up at York and Haydock. It’s not hard to forgive her disappointing display when last seen as the ground was desperate.
She likes soft going but that was dreadful and she’s had a nice break since.
Sir Dancealot notched up his first win of the season over seven furlongs at this track last time. The drop in distance won’t help and this race is much more competitive.
Dream Of Dreams has only been seen four times this season.
He looked really good when winning at Lingfield in September but he has come up short on each of his three previous tries at Listed races.
Danzeno has finished runner-up in his last three runs at this level. He looks sure to run well again and he could be the main danger.
Grand old sprinter Gordon Lord Byron has place claims.
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2.40
TUCK into INDULGED.
She won over today’s course and distance on testing ground in May and has been in good form in three runs since.
Her third behind subsequent Listed winner Billesdon Bess at Goodwood came from a wide draw and she managed to find all sorts of trouble in a small field at Nottingham.
Her Listed fourth behind Beautiful Morning at Yarmouth last time gives her some ground to make up on Vintage Folly.
But another wide stall meant she had to drop into the rear and that was far from ideal.
Vintage Folly is still lightly raced and she has the form to play a big part. Soft ground is no problem and it’s easy to see why she is fancied in the betting.
Brief Visit won by seven lengths last time but it’s hard to get carried away with that all-the-way defeat of just two rivals. She needs to prove she’s up to this level.
Time Chaser is more of a threat. She lost her unbeaten on awful ground at Haydock and remains potentially smart.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Wincanton – Copper Kay: ‘Will appreciate the return to hurdles and trainer Philip Hobbs is in great form’ (add to your betslip)
2.05 Doncaster – Sainted: ‘Forgive her run when last seen and I reckon she’s up to this level and can bounce back’ (add to your betslip)
2.25 Wincanton – Modus: ‘Jumped well on his chase debut last time and should win this with such little competition’ (add to your betslip)
2.40 Doncaster – Indulged: ‘Won over course and distance earlier in the season and has continued to be in good form’ (add to your betslip)
3.00 Wincanton – Lough Derg Spirit: ‘Did well last season and I’m expecting him to have improved over the summer’ (add to your betslip)
3.15 Doncaster – Saunter: ‘Patchy form this year but his last run was more like it and he’s unexposed over this trip’ (add to your betslip)
3.35 Wincanton – Mr Mix: ‘Improving and loves it round here, was impressive on his last win over fences’ (add to your betslip)
3.15
THE November Handicap should be a stroll for SAUNTER.
He looked really good when winning his first two starts in Britain for David Menuisier last season.
His form has been more patchy this year but his Newmarket second on his first race for Ian Williams was much more like it.
He shouldn’t have a problem with soft ground and he’s unexposed over today’s trip.
John Gosden is going for a record sixth win in this race. Three of those victories came with three-year-olds so his Royal Line has to be considered.
He won his first two races before coming unstuck in a three-runner race at Newbury last time.
This can be a brutal race and I’d rather side with experience over potential with the ground riding soft.
Dance The Dream is dangerous. He saw off Top Tug at Leicester last time, likes soft ground and is clearly improving.
Wild Hacked, Niblawi and Euchen Glen are others to keep an eye on.
WINCANTON
1.50
COPPER KAY should pay.
She didn’t seem to like chasing on her return to action so it’s no surprise to see her back over hurdles.
Her Newbury second to Snow Leopardess – when Tara View and Wizard’s Sliabh were among those behind – is smart form.
I’ve not lost the faith in her and trainer Philip Hobbs has just struck form.
Top claimer James Bowen takes off 7lbs from Secret Door. She should sharpen up for his return and looks a danger.
Jessber’s Dream would be interesting if back to her best and The Organist has the ability to take a hand in a race like this.
She didn’t take to fences last season but remains a mare with potential.
2.25
PAUL NICHOLLS has won this Grade 2 novices’ chase six times in the last ten years. I’m expecting him to add to that tally with MODUS.
He perhaps didn’t win as many hurdles races as he should have but he often ran really well in defeat.
The step up in distance seemed to do the trick and his jumping warmed up as the race went on when he struck on his chase debut at Bangor.
Kalondra also won on his first taste of fences. That was only at Sedgefield but he still looks the best forecast bet as Valhalla has a lot to find.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Wincanton – Copper Kay: ‘Will appreciate the return to hurdles and trainer Philip Hobbs is in great form’ (add to your betslip)
2.05 Doncaster – Sainted: ‘Forgive her run when last seen and I reckon she’s up to this level and can bounce back’ (add to your betslip)
2.25 Wincanton – Modus: ‘Jumped well on his chase debut last time and should win this with such little competition’ (add to your betslip)
2.40 Doncaster – Indulged: ‘Won over course and distance earlier in the season and has continued to be in good form’ (add to your betslip)
3.00 Wincanton – Lough Derg Spirit: ‘Did well last season and I’m expecting him to have improved over the summer’ (add to your betslip)
3.15 Doncaster – Saunter: ‘Patchy form this year but his last run was more like it and he’s unexposed over this trip’ (add to your betslip)
3.35 Wincanton – Mr Mix: ‘Improving and loves it round here, was impressive on his last win over fences’ (add to your betslip)
3.00
LOUGH DERG SPIRIT should join the Elite.
He did well in novices’ hurdles last season and it’s easy to expect him to have improved over the summer.
After making a successful debut at Kempton he ran in a hot Ascot race won by smart prospect Capitaine.
His Musselburgh defeat of Peter The Mayo Man confirmed his promise but his season ended on a low when pulled up at Aintree.
That was his run over 2m4f and on a left-handed track so today’s track should be ideal.
Smart chaser Charbel has to give weight away all round. He was good enough finish fifth in the Supreme a couple of years ago and it would be wrong to underestimate him with trainer Kim Bailey going so well.
Zubayr is another with sound claims. He was touched off in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and has been in good form on the Flat. Today’s ground will suit him.
3.35
THROW the Badger Ales Trophy into the Mix.
Improving MR MIX has a real liking for this track. He won over hurdles here on Boxing Day and his chase course win two weeks ago was a fine effort.
The way he left behind reliable Forgotten Gold and Gentleman John – winner of this race last year – was really good. He’s only six and is clearly in the form of his life.
Paul Nicholls also runs Present Man and Southfield Theatre. They both ran in this race 12 months ago but suffered wretched luck.
Present Man departed at the first and he went on to do well last season. His hurdles win at Kempton should have put him spot on for today.
Southfield Theatre was most unlucky last year. He looked set to win when crashing out at the last but he only made the track once more. If he’s back to his best he would have a chance.
Double Shuffle is the other one I like. He made a promising return over 2m3f last time and he’ll love the return to today’s distance.
AINTREE
12.30 Delire D’Estruval
1.05 Coastal Tiep
1.40 Louis’ Vac Pouch (treble)
2.15 Virgilio
2.50 Unowhatimeanharry
3.25 Ballyhill
4.00 Welsby
DONCASTER
11.55 Yajooll
12.25 Gilded Hour
1.00 Hajjam
1.35 Lord Of The Rock
2.05 Sainted (nap)
2.40 Indulged
3.15 Saunter
3.50 Gangland
KELSO
12.15 Cole Hall
12.50 Betancourt
1.25 Landecker
2.00 Chidswell
2.35 Vengeur De Guye
3.10 Craig Star
3.45 Derriana Spirit
WINCANTON
12.40 If The Cap Fits
1.15 Howlongisafoot
1.50 Copper Kay
2.25 Modus
3.00 Lough Derg Spirit (nb)
3.35 Mr Mix
4.10 The Russian Doyen
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.20 Zenovia
4.50 Nutini
5.20 Stylish Dancer
5.50 Blazed
6.20 Ghepardo
6.50 Peach Melba
7.20 Ocean Voyage
7.50 Dora Road
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