WARWICK
1.50
FLINTHAM has the spark to win this Listed novices’ chase.
He won the Pertemps Hurdle qualifier on this card two years ago. The ground was similarly deep that day and these are the conditions he thrives on.
Mark Bradstock’s ace – a half-brother to Gold Cup hero Coneygree – failed to win in three chase starts last season. But he couldn’t have gone much closer when short-headed in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot.
He’s got plenty of ground to make up on Duel At Dawn on their meeting in a three-runner race at Exeter in November.
That was Flintham’s first run of the season against a race-fit rival and he looked sure to improve a lot for that effort.
Progressive Ms Parfois has looked good winning at Cheltenham and Newbury. Those were in mares’ races and she needs to step up against the boys.
2.25
THE ORGANIST looks tuned up for the Pertemps Network Hurdle.
She was a smart novice a few years ago but she lost her way after a spell over fences. The return to three miles – a distance she is now unbeaten over in two attempts – did the trick at Newbury last time.
The testing ground is ideal and – now she’s back on track – she could easily end up in a higher grade.
No Hassle Hoff couldn’t live with Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Sam Spinner at Haydock having made a winning return at Uttoxeter. That was obviously no disgrace and his useful form from last season shows he’s going to be a threat today.
Black Ivory won nicely at Aintree and he’ll like the return to three miles.
A 12lbs rise for winning at Ffos Las looks harsh on Prime Venture and last year’s winner Tobefair is also too high in the weights.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Warwick - Flintham: 'Should strip fitter for latest run and will thrive in these conditions' (add to your betslip)
2.05 Kempton - Waiting Patiently: 'Classy performer and can stretch his winning run to six' (add to your betslip)
2.25 Warwick - The Organist: 'The testing ground is ideal and now back on track could easily end up in a higher grade' (add to your betslip)
2.40 Kempton - William Henry: 'Talented young jock James Bowen gets the ride and he's got a big chance' (add to your betslip)
3.00 Warwick - Mr Whipped: 'Form of his Newbury win is solid and this trip is in his favour' (add to your betslip)
3.15 Kempton - Ballyalton: 'The step up in trip could help him and the ground also suits' (add to your betslip)
3.35 Warwick - Cogry: 'Got a great record at this track and his best efforts give him a big chance' (add to your betslip)
3.00
MR WHIPPED should be the cream that rises to the top in the Leamington Novices’ Hurdle.
He had little trouble winning a three-runner Kempton contest on his debut for Nicky Henderson and he’s best judged on his Newbury success just before Christmas.
The form of that race looks solid and the slightly longer trip is in his favour.
Chooseyourweapon also defied a penalty when making it two wins from two starts at Chepstow last month.
Evan Williams’ hope is closely matched with Mr Whipped so he has to be the big danger.
Count Meribel has been in tremendous form. He’ll like the return to 2m5f after getting outstayed over three miles at Cheltenham. Giving 3lbs makes life tricky for him.
Knight In Dubai did well to win at Wetherby after pulling hard early on and the form has worked out nicely. This is much tougher but he is worth a shot at this grade.
3.35
GET your teeth into COGRY in the Betfred Classic Chase.
He was only nailed close home by Vicente in the Scottish National last season and he returned with a fine victory at Cheltenham in October.
The Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury proved too much but it would be a trifle harsh to hold that against Nigel Twiston-Davies’ ace.
His best efforts give him a real chance with the marathon distance and ground in his favour. He’s also got a great record at this track.
Stablemate Ballycross was pulled up in this race 12 months ago. He has been in better form this season but his jumping still worries me.
Kerry Lee’s Goodtoknow was runner-up behind One For Arthur in this last year. He has to have a chance after overcoming a foot infection but I prefer his stablemate Krakatoa King.
He looked in need of a return to this sort of distance when beaten a head at Wincanton on Boxing Day.
Missed Approach would be a player if in the mood. Cresswell Breeze and On The Road must have some sort of chance but Sir Mangan’s Bangor win is not strong form.
KEMPTON
2.05
THIS should be worth the Wait.
Malcolm Jefferson’s WAITING PATIENTLY has won all four chase attempts.
He beat Champion Chase hope Politologue at Haydock last year and, although Paul Nicholls’ grey has improved since, that was still a classy performance.
There was a lot to like about his winning return at Carlisle in November and I reckon he’ll stretch his winning run to a super six.
Josses Hill took a step back in the right direction when chasing home smart stablemate Top Notch at Taunton.
His jumping still worries me and it won’t help that Smad Place is likely to take him on up front.
God’s Own has won three Grade 1s and it would be harsh to hold his disappointing Aintree comeback behind Smad Place against him. The soft ground is a bigger concern.
Templegate's TV tips
1.50 Warwick - Flintham: 'Should strip fitter for latest run and will thrive in these conditions' (add to your betslip)
2.05 Kempton - Waiting Patiently: 'Classy performer and can stretch his winning run to six' (add to your betslip)
2.25 Warwick - The Organist: 'The testing ground is ideal and now back on track could easily end up in a higher grade' (add to your betslip)
2.40 Kempton - William Henry: 'Talented young jock James Bowen gets the ride and he's got a big chance' (add to your betslip)
3.00 Warwick - Mr Whipped: 'Form of his Newbury win is solid and this trip is in his favour' (add to your betslip)
3.15 Kempton - Ballyalton: 'The step up in trip could help him and the ground also suits' (add to your betslip)
3.35 Warwick - Cogry: 'Got a great record at this track and his best efforts give him a big chance' (add to your betslip)
2.40
HOT young jockey James Bowen looks a good bet to bag another big pot.
The teenager won the Welsh National last week and I reckon he’ll land the Lanzarote Hurdle on WILLIAM HENRY.
His 5lbs claim is a steal and it will come in handy on Nicky Henderson’s top weight. He deserves his place at the top of the weights after winning twice from four novice hurdle starts last season.
His defeats came in hot races won by top novices Pingshou and Wholestone and it’s easy to forgive his chase debut flop as his saddle slipped after continually jumping out to his right.
Topofthegame is another horse returning to hurdles. He fell on his fencing debut but last season’s neck second to Beyond Conceit at Ascot was a great effort.
He was fourth behind Wholestone and William Henry – when Grade 1 winner Poetic Rhythm was third – at Cheltenham last term and is weight to get closer today. I’m just worried about the sharp track.
Diese Des Bieffes won his first two hurdles starts before chasing home If The Cap Fits over two miles here on Boxing Day.
The longer trip will help but it remains to be seen how well weighted he is.
The ground might be too soft for River Frost and Coeur Blimey’s jumping is a worry.
The two I like at really big prices are Wishfull Dreaming – making his debut for Olly Murphy – and I Shot The Sheriff.
3.15
HAVE a Ball in this interesting little handicap chase.
BALLYALTON ran solid races in the two big 2m4f handicaps at Cheltenham before Christmas.
There’s certainly a case to say the step up to three miles will help and the slightly better ground is another positive.
Promising novice Fountains Windfall could easily take this field apart. He hit the deck when still in with a chance at Newbury in December and his jumping was fine before crashing out in the
Kauto Star Chase at today’s track on Boxing Day.
There’s clearly plenty of ability there but backing a novice at a short price when he’s fallen on his last two starts cannot be sensible.
The Young Master and Morning Reggie are out of form and On Tour has stamina to prove.
KEMPTON
12.20 Kapdad
12.55 Chef Des Obeaux
1.30 Bishops Court
2.05 Waiting Patiently
2.40 William Henry
3.15 Ballyalton
3.45 Charming Zen (treble)
LINGFIELD
12.15 Every Chance
12.50 Anna Medici
1.25 Reckless Endeavour
2.00 Sacred Act
2.35 Cliffs Of Capri
3.10 Avocet
3.40 Joyful Dream
WARWICK
12.40 Admiral Kid
1.15 Swift Crusader
1.50 Fintham (nb)
2.25 The Organist
3.00 Mr Whipped
3.35 Cogry (nap)
4.05 Baby Ted
WETHERBY
12.30 Truckers Lodge
1.05 De Dollar Man
1.40 Walsingham Grange
2.15 Bun Doran
2.50 Westend Story
3.25 Granville Island
3.55 Aweeminit
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.45 Chelwood Gate
6.15 Favourite Royal
6.45 Indian Red
7.15 Pushkin Museum
7.45 Pulsating
8.15 Desert Doctor
8.45 Global Academy
9.15 Font Vert
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