TEMPLEGATE has been keeping his eagle eye on the racing with a view to Cheltenham Festival value.
Below he goes through a couple of handicappers who have jumped off the screen to him.
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It’s not always easy to know which races they will contest in March but keep this pair in your notebook for when plans start to firm up.
WHITE RHINO
Trainers: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero
Owner: The Rhino Syndicate
Age: Eight
Rating: 129
This training team tasted success in the Martin Pipe Hurdle last year with Iroko and could have another contender in White Rhino.
This eight-year-old has been going about his business quietly, picking up wins a little off the beaten track at venues like Southwell and Carlisle.
His profile has taken a definite upward turn this season with two fantastic efforts at Cheltenham.
He went close in an apprentices’ race at the November meeting when getting no luck in running after jumping the last.
That excellent run was over 2m5f and he showed his liking for three miles back at Prestbury Park last month as he was the impressive winner of a 10-runner handicap.
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He isn’t a flashy type and made steady progress through the field under Henry Brooke and seemed to have plenty left at the line.
Looking at prices for the Festival, he is 12-1 for the Pertemps Final which would seem to be the ideal race if he can get qualified for it before March.
His trainer has mentioned that as a target and there are a few qualifiers left.
Or he could come back in trip for the Martin Pipe where his proven stamina would be an asset – and he wouldn’t have to qualify although he could do with going up a few pounds from his current mark of 129 to be sure of a run.
Either way, he looks worthy of each-way support wherever he ends up in March.
IN EXCELSIS DEO
Trainer: Harry Fry
Owner: JP McManus
Age: Six
Rating: 133
The Grand Annual looks a fair target for this progressive chaser who runs in the famous JP McManus colours.
He’s 12-1 for that although he could turn up in the Plate where he would also be of interest.
It’s telling that connections have run this six-year-old twice at Cheltenham this season and he’s more than held his own both times.
He was third on comeback in October and that saw him sent off favourite at the mid-December meeting.
He put in another decent effort to finish second when still looking pretty novicey at some of his fences.
Two miles is fine but he could actually improve over further, which would bring the Plate into consideration although he would probably need to win in the meantime to bring up his handicap mark a little.
Either way, he’s going the right way after just six spins over fences and is one to keep a close eye on.
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