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Racing tips: Templegate predictions for every race on Saturday at Dublin Racing Festival
TEMPLEGATE takes dead aim at the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday.
The key meeting before next month’s Cheltenham Festival looks set to be an absolute cracker.
SportsfileRiviere D’etel is one of Templegate’s fancies for Saturday[/caption]
And ante post punting clues for the Festival will be plentiful with many fancied runners getting their final assignments.
But there are certain to be big runs from some who have so far sneaked under the radar in the constantly changing markets as well.
Here, our man goes through every race on Saturday.
LEOPARDSTOWN SATURDAY
1.05
BRONN looks a fair price to improve plenty on his hurdles debut victory at Naas last month. He had to battle to score but was coming back from nine months off and having his first for Willie Mullins so there’s more to come.
Hollow Games and Grand Jury had a right ding-dong last time with the former fancied to turn the form around over this slightly longer distance.
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1.35
VAUBAN was green as grass when just held by Pied Piper on his hurdles debut at Punchestown. He didn’t get the best of runs and would have won in another 50 yards.
That form has been massively franked since and Willie Mullins’ runner can improve a bundle.
Fil Dor runs in the same colours as Pied Piper and was impressive when winning a Leopardstown Grade 2 without breaking sweat. It should be a cracking contest.
Ben Siegel looked a nice prospect when scoring on debut and can give the big two something to worry about.
2.10
RIVIERE D’ETEL gave the sadly injured Ferny Hollow a proper race in Grade 1 company here last time. She battled right to the line and can take another step forward. This better ground is a plus too.
Blue Lord was classy over hurdles and has won his two chase outings without breaking sweat. He looks a danger but is upped in class here.
2.45
RIGHTPLACERIGHTIME has a solid each-way chance from what looks a very handy mark.
He wasn’t disgraced at Haydock last time and had been in good form over fences earlier. Rachael Blackmore gets on board and this trip is right up his street.
Dunboyne was unlucky in a big field here last time when hampered a couple of times before coming home in fifth.
Priory Park beat 27 rivals to win at Christmas and is another for the shortlist.
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3.15
KEMBOY won this last year and arrives here in good heart after his close-up third behind Galvin and A Plus Tard in the Savills Chase at Christmas.
A repeat of that effort would see him figure in the finish again.
With Frodon in the field, hopefully he’ll be settled just off the pace rather than get involved in a battle up front.
Minella Indo was wrong from the off in the King George on Boxing Day when going right-handed at Kempton may not have suited.
It was too bad to be true from the reigning Gold Cup hero who needs a good run here ahead of Cheltenham.
We know he stays well and the decent ground is in his favour.
Frodon battled his way to a Grade 1 success at Down Royal before a modest King George run. If he gets his way in front he could make them all work.
Asterion Forlonge was still going well when falling at the last in the King George and has lots of ability. He could pick up the pieces if they go too fast up front.
3.50
A WAVE OF THE SEA was tanking along in a hot contest at the Christmas meeting here last time before coming down four out. Hopefully that hasn’t left a mark because he won this race 12 months ago and has every chance again.
Mt Leinster is the obvious threat after a solid third here on just his third chase run last time out.
4.25
FACILE VEGA lived up to his name when scooting in by six lengths on his debut over course and distance. He had the race wrapped up a long way out and could be the latest bumper star for Willie Mullins.
Sandor Clegane had 15 lengths in hand at Punchestown and looks a threat on this hike in grade, while The Big Doyen scored on the bridle after his debut success and is another to consider.
And Eamonn Hames says…
1.05 Minella Crooner
1.35 Vauban
2.10 Riviere D’etel (nb)
2.45 Rightplacerightime (NAP)
3.15 Asterion Forlonge
3.50 Mt Leinster
4.25 Facile Vega
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