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TEMPLEGATE tackles Saturday’s racing confident of keeping his hot run going – and building the bank for York next week.

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MORE THUNDER (3.35 Newbury, nap)

Can go like lightning in the Hungerford Stakes. Trainer William Haggas has a fantastic record in this Group 2 with three wins since 2015 including last year with Tiber Flow. More Thunder looks more than capable of delivering at this level after his battling Bunbury Cup win at Newmarket last time. That came after six furlongs proved a couple of yards too short when he flew home for second in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. He’s looked potentially more than a handicapper all season after he kicked off with back-to-back wins at Newmarket in the style of a classy performer. He deserves his chance at this level and looks well up to it.

CRACKING GOLD (3.00 Newbury, nb)

Can shine for Clive Cox. He has been in flying form all season and looks hard to beat. I go through all the runners for this race below.

SECRET GUEST (3.20 Ripon, treble)

Can star in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap. He was an excellent third in the race 12 months ago for trainer Bryan Smart who has given him a little break since a good second at Thirsk last time out. The five-year-old is back from just 3lb higher than last year but his rider’s claim takes care of that. He’s drawn well in stall 11 and ticks all the boxes for this competitive contest.

Templegate’s TV verdicts

NEWBURY

1.50

PINHOLE looked a lot more than a handicapper when bolting up at Ascot last time.

That was just his third run for Ralph Beckett and he stormed home over 1m4f to suggest this longer trip would bring further improvement.

He deserves another crack at this stronger company.

Epic Poet didn’t enjoy 1m4f in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot after going close in the Yorkshire Cup and will be happier at this distance.

Nightime Dancer chased home potential superstar Scandinavia here last time and should find this challenge a bit simpler.

Candleford has a Listed win on his CV this season but needs to bounce back from a moderate effort at Goodwood last time.

2.25

RHYTHM N HOOVES is music to my ears. Robert Cowell’s speedster looked right back to his best when flashing home for second in a hot Ascot sprint last month.

He’s well-handicapped from just 2lb higher, thrives on fast ground and Billy Loughnane knows exactly how to deliver him late.

A truly-run race should see him swooping past tiring rivals in the final 100 yards.

Getreadytorumble is a big danger after a string of good efforts at this distance, while Glamorous Breeze has the class to pounce if the gaps open.

Sugar Hill Babe, drawn in stall one, could give them plenty to think about from the front but she’s likely to set things up nicely for the tip.

3.00

I’VE got a Cracking bet on the box at Newbury.

CRACKING GOLD (3.00, nb) was an impressive winner here two runs ago before close close at Goodwood. He can take another step forward for Clive Cox.

Classic, Consolidation and Leadman can give him most to do.

Here’s my guide to the field, where I rate them out of one (worst) and five (best) stars:

CRACKING GOLD 5

GOLD star. Looked better than ever with a strong Goodwood second in a big field last time. He’s suited by pace and trip, handles all ground and runs well fresh. Reliable and progressive profile suggests he’s the one to beat.

HAVANA PUSEY 2

HAV to pass. Likes to be up with the pace and held her own in a Group 3 latest after earlier handicap wins over this trip. Track and ground ideal, but needs to improve on last Goodwood showing.

CLASSIC 4

CLASSIC case. Thriving this summer with strong Ascot second and earlier Sandown win. That form looks rock solid, 7f ideal, handles ground, and has track form. Very likely to go close again.

LOU LOU’S GIFT 3

GIFT horse. Lightly raced filly, shaped better than result in a messy Ascot Group 3 last time. Down in grade, strong pace helps. Still has more to come at 7f. Place shout

JUMBY 3

BY law. Game veteran. Big run in Newmarket handicap latest and has tumbled down the weights. This is his trip but long losing run remains a concern. No surprise to see him in the frame.

WOLF OF BADENOCH 1

WOLF whistle. Well held at Ascot on turf return and cheekpieces stay on. Was useful as a two-year-old but may not have trained on. Others bring stronger current claims and more proven handicapping efforts.

CONSOLIDATION 4

NO Con. Career-best win at Goodwood two back, unlucky latest when getting stuck in traffic. Goes well on quick ground and 7f suits. Still unexposed and could well bounce back with a cleaner trip.

OBELIX 3

LIX not licked. Had no chance at Wolver last time from a wide draw on the back of a good York win. He likes this trip on quick ground and isn’t ruled out from 7lb higher.

LEADMAN 4

GOOD Man. Won nicely here before getting no luck at Goodwood last time. He’s best over 7f and his form ties in well with others here. His handicap mark is fair and he’s high on the shortlist.

COGITATE 2

SMALL Cog. Not disgraced in hot Ascot handicap last time but he’s not the easiest ride. Has come down weights but needs a step forward to score in this company.

DOCUMENTING 1

WHAT’S up Doc? Almost a teenager but is still competitive with good efforts this season in big fields. His fifth behind Obelix at York reads well but there’s no obvious reason why he’ll turn that around.

3.35

MORE THUNDER never wins by very far but he keeps producing the goods like when winning the Bunbury Cup here by a short-head last time.

That build on his staying-on Wokingham second and two other smart wins on the Rowley course this season.

He looks well up to Group 2 standard and proved his liking for this trip last time.

King’s Gamble came home strongly when just denied over six furlongs at Newbury last time.

That was his first run in 11 months and moving back up in trip makes him the main danger.

Witness Stand won the Lennox nicely at Goodwood and goes well here too.

He’s in the mix while Spy Chief was far from disgraced in the July Cup and is likely to go hard on the front end.

RIPON

2.45

NOVELLO LAD has won two of his past three and looks capable of another step forward.

He saves his best for six furlongs on quick ground and his double-figure draw is another plus.

The handicapper must have been in a good mood when hiking him only 2lb for scoring at Pontefract last time.

Paul Midgley does well at Ripon and can add to his tally.

Wreck It Ryley saves his best for Ripon and was less than two lengths off the pace at Yarmouth last time.

He looks a good price to make the frame.

Ziggy’s Ariel landed his last win here in April and is only 2lb higher today which makes him competitive.

Likely favourite Fortamour is a good performer at this level but he’s yet to win on quick ground which has to be a worry for the nine-year-old.

Dicko The Legend was good at York last time and is well drawn.

3.20

SECRET GUEST was third in this last season and is primed to go two better.

Trainer Bryan Smart seems to have laid him out for the race and has given him a break since his close second at Thirsk in early July.

He’s only 3lb higher than his last win and this trip and track are ideal.

You want to be drawn high and he’s handy in stall 11.

Rock Opera comes from box 14 and was a close-up third in good company at York last time.

That was over this trip on fast ground so he should be on the premises again.

Grant Wood won the Silver Cup on this card last year and has clearly been aimed at this race.

He’s a big price to make the frame despite a low draw.

Similar comments apply to Intervention who ran well at Chepstow last time and looks on a fair mark.

Prince Of Pillo is in stall 16 and likes this track. His trainer Richard Fahey won this race 12 months ago so he’s a threat.

NEWMARKET

2.05

BINHAREER made a mockery of his opening turf handicap mark when strolling to victory at Ayr last month.

His jockey had the luxury of dropping his whip but it made no difference as he hammered his rivals over this trip.

The ground was softer that day but he doesn’t need it on breeding and looks a typical William Haggas improver.

He’s up 8lb for that smooth success but that won’t put the brakes on as there’s a lot more to come.

Archduke Ferdinand looks a fair each-way price with his rider’s claim taking him below his last winning mark.

He is best over this trip and likes fast ground.

Addison Grey made a promising start to his handicapping career when beaten less than a length at Chepstow nine days ago.

This trip suits and there’s more to come after just four runs.

Silver Samurai ran better than fifth place suggests at Doncaster latest. That was over seven furlongs but he has enough pace to figure.

Templegate’s tips

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A WOMAN who was left with a “turkey neck” after losing three stone on weight loss jabs is finally comfortable in her own skin after getting a £10,000 ‘mummy makeover’ abroad.

Victoria Vigors decided to have a tummy tuck, liposuction, breast lift, face lift and neck lift after using Mounjaro – a prescription injection used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity – to slim down.

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The 40-year-old initially felt “misshapen” after losing so much weight.

But now she’s never been happier – and says she looks better today than she did aged 20.

“I was very self-conscious about my fupa,” the mum, who is a content creator with 270,000 followers, revealed.

“My tummy overhung because I had a caesarean with my daughter, so it left a scar that my stomach would fall over.

“It was really obvious – I would wear tight-fitting clothing, and you could just see I had a really unnatural-looking belly. I hated it.

“My boobs felt misshapen, and one was much bigger than the other.

“And where I had lost weight on Mounjaro – the skin around my neck was like a turkey.

“It was all saggy, and I hated my jowls.

“I just felt old and unattractive.”

Victoria, from Kent, said people used to stare at her stomach and even make comments.

She said: “I’ve been called ‘flabby belly’ online.

“People would say I looked more like 50.

“My side profile would show my sagging neck, and people would point it out.

“As much as my daughter would joke, she would also call me ‘jelly belly’ and poke my stomach.

“I’d been on Mounjaro for ages and eating really healthily, so I felt fantastic on the inside.

“But on the outside, my confidence was at an all-time low.”

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After speaking to friends and getting recommendations, Victoria found Revitalize in Turkey.

She spoke to the clinic and was told about a £10,000 ‘mummy makeover’.

The mum booked in for surgery and flew out just 10 days later.

She said: “Weirdly enough, I didn’t feel anxious at all about going in.

“I was just so excited.

“I was already staying at the villa with loads of people who’d already had surgery and were recovering.

“They were all looking great already, so I wasn’t nervous.

“I was a bit more stressed going into having my face done because obviously that’s my face, and if that goes wrong, then I’m stuck with it.

“But I’d seen other people’s results, which looked great.”

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DAY OF THE SURGERY

Victoria’s first surgery was for her tummy tuck, liposuction and breast lift.

She said: “I woke up feeling very groggy, and the pain in my stomach was unreal.

“It’d hurt even more when I moved or coughed.

“I was in and out of sleep for a while, so I was a bit confused at times, but the next day they encouraged me to get up and see if I could start walking.

“I didn’t feel any pain in my boobs whatsoever – it was all in my belly.

“I had drains in to collect any blood that was still coming out, and then they showed me a bit of my stomach that they cut away.

“It looked like a slab of fatty pork – I asked them to bin it!”

Five days later, she was taken in for the second surgery for her face and neck lift.

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She said: “Waking up, my face felt really painful and tight.

“I had massive quilting stitches all over my face and neck, which looked like bicycle tyre tracks.

“I was told they were to help direct the blood flow and drain any excess, but they were really uncomfortable and itchy.

“The first 24 hours were really painful, but then after that it eased off and just felt tight and numb.”

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SURGERY RECOVERY

Victoria had a check-up two days later and was allowed to go home five days later.

She said: “I was really nervous to see the results of my facelift as I had to keep the support on for four weeks, as well as the compression garments on my abdomen.

“I also had to keep my boobs strapped for six weeks.

“But once I could take them off, I was over the moon.

“My tummy had gone down and was so flat.

“My boobs looked great, and my face even better.

“I was like, wow, this is my body now!”

The mummy makeover would have cost £10,000 – but Tracy paid a discounted rate.

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BOOSTED CONFIDENCE

She is overjoyed with her new look, and her friends and family have been “super supportive”.

Victoria said: “They just can’t believe how great I look.

“I went to a baby shower a couple of weeks ago, where I hadn’t seen some of the girls there for a long time.

“And one of them walked straight past me, didn’t even realise it was me, and then she was like, ‘Oh my god, look at you now – the glow-up is real.’

“Now I can wear little belly tops, cocktail dresses, tight clothing, and not feel self-conscious anymore.

“I’m super happy.

“There is a lot of pressure for you to be perfect.

“Of course, nobody can be, but this is my idea of perfect to me.”

In May, Victoria re-visited the clinic to have laser eye surgery and turkey teeth fitted.

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She said: “I had 20 porcelain crowns and my eyes done.

“My vision is incredible, and my teeth are perfect.

“My face looks lovely.”

MORE SURGERY

Victoria plans on visiting for the final time in September to have breast implants and a labiaplasty.

She said: “I was supposed to have breast implants when I was there in March, but they said doing that, as well as a lift, was a no-go.

“My blood count was too low when I went for blood tests, so the surgeon said he couldn’t do my implants at the same time.

Now I can wear little belly tops, cocktail dresses, tight clothing, and not feel self-conscious anymore

Victoria Vigors

“Now I’ve given my boobs some time to rest – then I’ll be going back.

“I’m super excited for my labiaplasty.

“After having two children, one of my labia appears bigger than the other one.

“I want it to be more levelled out and neat.

“Now, my face is done, my body looks great, it is just those final things.”

When the devastating floods washed through Maiduguri in northeastern Nigeria in September 2024, Aisha Ahmed, a resident of Gwange community, and her family fled their house to a safer area along Bama Road in the Borno State capital. 

“It was my worst experience because my family and I thought the world had come to an end,” the 46-year-old recounted. “We couldn’t sleep well because we did not know if the water would rise again and meet us by morning.” 

Like Aisha, several other residents across Maiduguri fled; some were trapped in their homes, others died, shops, schools, and other facilities were shuttered, and roads were impassable. 

It’s been about eight months since the floods swept through the city. Aisha says the post-flood restoration efforts are “a sign that Maiduguri has bounced back.” The Borno State government and other development partners initiated a series of interventions aimed at restoring key infrastructure and providing relief to affected residents. 

According to the National Emergency Management Agency, over 414,000 people were affected across nine local government areas in the state, with 389,267 individuals displaced and 7,155 houses damaged. The flood’s impact was widespread, not only in urban Maiduguri but also in nearby rural communities. 

“It is now history. I can walk around Gwange with ease. The roads have been cleared, the drainage channels restored, and even the air feels different because there is movement and life has returned to normal. It’s like we all came back stronger,” she told HumAngle, adding that, “It’s not perfect yet, but this is a huge step forward. I am proud of how far we have come.”  

Several public landmarks and facilities that were damaged or rendered inaccessible due to the floods are now being restored. Roads that were once impassable due to erosion have since resurfaced. Temporary bridges have been installed in communities cut off during the flood. Public schools which were flooded or closed have reopened after rehabilitation work, allowing students to return to class.

For Adamu Isa, a bricklayer and father of five living in Simari, a community that was flooded, the memories of the flood are still fresh. His home, located close to a motorable path, was heavily affected. The flooding swept for more than a week in their area, destroying their walls, collapsing their outdoor toilet, and leaving the family displaced. 

“We could not save anything that night. We joined others to flee in the middle of the night. It was a dangerous journey while the volume of the water continued to increase,” he recounted. This video documentary captures a visual account of the city under water.

When news came that the government was distributing relief funds to flood victims, Adamu registered his name and bank account details but wasn’t sure he would be selected. Some months later, he received a text alert showing ₦100,000 deposited into his account. 

“It felt like a miracle. It was the first time I received anything like that from the government. Even though it wasn’t enough to rebuild everything, I used part of it to fix one room and clear the sewage from around the house,” he told HumAngle.

Adamu knows the money can’t restore everything the flood took. His house still bears the scars — a missing window shutter, a broken pit latrine, and walls that tell a story of a season they barely survived. But for him, the relief aid was not just money, it was recognition: “We are not forgotten. I feel lucky. My children are back in school. We sleep under a roof. Life is back now, and we thank God for that. At the end of the day, being alive is the most important thing.”

The state government-instituted Flood Relief Disbursement Committee says it received several relief materials and ₦28.9 billion in donations from well-wishers, including the federal government, Borno State and other state governments, corporate organisations, non-profits, and development partners such as the United Nations. Of this, over ₦18.08 billion was disbursed in cash to 101,330 households affected by the flood, according to spokesperson Dauda Iliya.

He added that ₦987 million was allocated to 7,716 traders whose goods and businesses were damaged in affected markets, as well as ₦313 million to 814 worship centres and ₦213 million to 267 private schools. Additionally, ₦89.4 million was disbursed to 1,788 youth volunteers who actively contributed to rescue and relief efforts during the disaster, and ₦12.5 million supported 22 private clinics that assisted with emergency medical care.

While some beneficiaries like Adamu confirmed receipt of funds, HumAngle found that many survivors continue to live in temporary shelters or with relatives, with some yet to receive any assistance. One of such residents is Musa Hussaini, who lives in Wade, a community along Dikwa Road in Maiduguri, one of the areas worst affected by the floods. He said officials documented victims nearby but never reached his neighbourhood.

“We waited for them to come, but they stopped just a few blocks away,” he told HumAngle. “Then we started hearing that people were getting credit alerts, but no one from our side received anything. We were left like that, just watching and hoping.”

Musa and his family fled as the waters rose, leaving everything behind. The floodwaters destroyed their belongings, and they remained displaced for weeks, sheltering by the roadside with other affected families.

“Every household in the area was displaced,” Musa said. “Life felt like it had come to an end. We thought we would never return to normal again. But we are grateful to God that things have been restored, and we are slowly rebuilding.”

Musa now supports his family by working as a tricycle rider to provide for his family.

“At least we are alive, and for that, we are thankful,” he sighed. 

Despite the experience of Wade residents and others, the relief disbursement committee announced in December 2024 that the process had concluded. In its final report, the committee stated that ₦4.45 billion remained from the total donations received. The committee, according to its chairperson, Baba Bukar Gujibawu, recommended that the balance be used for the rehabilitation of roads in flood-affected areas.

Residents and civil society groups, such as the Arewa Youth Consultative Council, have called for transparency and accountability in how the funds were managed and distributed, insisting that promised support should not get lost in bureaucracy but reach the communities still struggling to recover.

At the peak of the Maiduguri flooding, a HumAngle investigation uncovered that the disaster was due to years of neglect of the Alau Dam, a critical infrastructure designed to regulate water flow and provide irrigation and drinking water in the state. The disaster was triggered by the collapse of one of the dam’s gates, which overflowed and released massive volumes of water, washing through parts of the metropolis and sweeping into rural communities downstream. The damage was worsened by the lack of timely maintenance and the failure to hold the responsible authorities accountable.

Funds meant for its repairs were either mismanaged or misappropriated, according to the investigation. 

In response, the federal government in October 2024 pledged ₦80 billion to rehabilitate the Alau Dam and prevent future disasters. However, as of the time of filing this report, repair work has yet to begin.

As another rainy season begins, communities remain exposed. For survivors still living on the margins, the question isn’t just about what was lost, but whether they’ve truly been seen.

PUNTERS were quite rightly stunned and social media went into meltdown after a shock unseat on a horse who drifted like a barge at Wexford on Wednesday.

Philip Byrnes flopped off Redwood Queen – trained by the jockey’s old man Charles – in the opening 2m1f claiming hurdle.

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Although on itself merely an extreme example of desperate riding, what angered many about this was that Redwood Queen had drifted in the betting from 7-2 to 13-2.

She clearly had the race in the bag when the jockey disappeared out the ‘side door’.

Byrnes runners, more than most other stables, appear to do best when the money is down.

My Saturday NAP

A Listed winner on comeback from ages off having previously run well in the 2000 Guineas when well fancied – everything, including the strong pace, points to a big run here. Back my tip simply by clicking the odds above.

To an outsider, the County Limerick handler runs what the majority would call a ‘gambling outfit’, for all that racing fans would have no proof of any financial transactions.

So when a Byrnes runner drifts like a barge, is clear at the last and then the jockey falls off, naturally many will cry foul play.

Only time will tell if that was the case – as the IHRB launch their full investigation.

But the chances are the case will eventually be dropped.

Only money trails could really prove guilt, and with so much punting action now on the Black Market, if anyone was trying to do something untoward they would have to be very thick indeed to leave any trace.

I did ask one top class jumps rider what they thought of the fall, and their response was interesting.

“Terrible bit of riding really,” they said.

“The horse came out of his hands and he was unbalanced but who knows whether that was enough to fall off?”

They added: “Personally I don’t think he’s that good a stunt rider. I think if they wanted to throw themselves off it would have looked more obvious.

“It’s really hard to throw yourself off a horse. I just don’t think he’s that good.”

Social media is always fascinating on these occasions. People like me – journalists and presenters on TV – tend to come in for a barrage of abuse.

The general gist is that we ‘don’t tell it as it is’.

As well as that, we should ‘have an opinion’ and we won’t talk out against the ‘racing family’.

What those on social media are actually saying is that if we don’t agree with what they suggest we are on the so-called ‘gravy train’.

In this case, what those on social media wanted me to say was a jockey had deliberately fallen off a horse who had taken a walk in the betting because connections did not want it to win.

They would also like me to add the whole game is corrupt.

To say the above is fine for most, although technically there would always be a chance of action being taken against them if the authorities found there was no case to answer.

But if a TV presenter was to say such things – or someone in writing – they would be in court or before lawyers before you could count to ten.

I know this as a fact.

In my early days of broadcasting I was laid off for a month for two instances which I stand by to today, but which could not be proven.

Did one of those mouthing off on social media offer to help pay my bills because I had publicly stood up for the punters? No they did not.

Being a keyboard warrior is, naturally, a very different world to broadcasting or writing in a newspaper.

Social media has given the people an opening to express themselves like they have never had before.

But just because the rules of the land appear to matter little online, everyone should remember that for broadcasters and journalists it’s a different world.

The Wexford incident looked awful. But was it deliberate? I have absolutely no idea.

And at this stage none of you reading this have any concrete proof either. Such is life.

It’s the calm before the Derby and Royal Ascot this weekend, but one race I’m excited to watch is Saturday’s Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock and live on ITV.

Old favourites Audience and Kinross are in the line-up, but it’s Alyanaabi who interests me.

He was once fancied for last year’s 2000 Guineas, and eventually finished fifth behind Notable Speech.

He carried on at about a mile for Owen Burrows, but his stamina has always been open to question and he returned over course and distance when scoring on May 10.

I was impressed then and everything looks right here for another bold run with a strong pace assured. Come on, Alyanaabi!

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Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.