Templeross

Templeross ran a cracker to finish second to Modus in the Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday over a distance that was probably shorter than ideal.         Disputing the lead up on the outside of Local Show from flagfall, his jumping was good. Jamie Bargary asked him up on a stride at most of his obstacles, and he responded willingly. Jaleo fell at the first flight, and Doesyourdogbite made mistakes early on the final circuit, so the race may have been rendered a little weaker than it looked at flagfall, but Templeross was into a nice rhythm up front, even if he was niggled along a little for much of the journey.

His stamina started to kick in as they rounded the home turn, and he moved to the front ahead of Local Show. At that point, he had all his rivals under pressure with the exception of Modus. JP McManus’ horse was racing over the longest distance over which he had ever raced, but he saw it out well, and Templeross had no answer to his pace at the end of this two miles and five furlongs. Modus was impressive, but Templeross ran all the way to the line to go down by less than three lengths in a race that was run in a good time, 0.06secs/furlong faster than Racing Post par.

This was a fine run from Templeross on just his fifth run over hurdles and over a distance that was probably sharp enough for him. Winner of a novices’ hurdle on soft ground at Ffos Las in November over three miles, he has bags of stamina, and he will be of interest now when he steps back up to three miles, which he surely will soon.

The handicapper raised him by just 3lb for this run to a mark of 130, and that is more than fair. He deserved that just on the bare facts of this run, but he should improve again for the experience, and he should improve further for a step back up in trip. He will be of interest again now over three miles.

14^th January 2017