Royal Ascot tips: ‘He can prove his class for a legendary duo' – Templegate's 11-2 day one NAP
TEMPLEGATE tackles an absolutely sensational day one of Royal Ascot confident of leaving the bookies crying into their top hats.
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GSTAAD (3.05 Ascot, nap)
He did well to win on debut at Navan last time despite looking green right through the race. He wasn't helped by having to slalom for a gap entering the final furlong but got the job done. He will come on plenty for that run and can prove his class.
ROSALLION (2.30 Ascot, nb)
Impressive St James's Palace winner last season on quick ground. Ran well in the Lockinge when needing the run and will be fitter now. Proven in this grade and the one to beat.
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TORITO (5.35 Ascot, treble)
He hasn't run since his excellent third in this race 12 months ago and can make a winning comeback under top pilot Colin Keane. We know this trip and track suit and he should get his favoured decent ground too. He's clearly had problems but he goes well fresh and the Gosdens should have him ready to roll in what looks a wide-open contest.
Templegate's Ascot verdicts
2.30
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ROSALLION
can roar to victory in the Queen Anne.
He was a brilliant St James's Palace winner here last year and shaped with real promise after 11 months off when third in the Lockinge last time.
He needed the run and will be fitter now. Plus I can't ignore the fact he is already proven in this grade.
Richard Hannon says he's in top form and is confident of a big run.
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The front two from that race —
Dancing Gemini
and
Lead Artist
— can give him the most to do.
Templegate's Queen Anne runner-by-runner guide
I run through every runner in the awesome opener below, rating them out of five stars. One is the worst - five the best.
CAIRO 1
CAIRO can go. Spends most of his time running over further with fair results at a slightly lower level. Drop in trip and hike in class a worry.
CARL SPACKLER 3
CARL on marks. Makes debut for Aussie yard having been bought from America where he took a Keeneland Grade 1 on quick ground last time. Likes this trip and going should suit. Place hopes.
DANCING GEMINI 4
LITTLE Gem. Proved he's a Group 1 miler this season thanks to a blistering comeback at Doncaster before a close second to Lead Artist in the Lockinge. He handled firm ground there but would ideally like it a bit slower. Leading chance again.
DIEGO VELAZQUEZ 3
EZ does it. Smart dual Group winner at Leopardstown last year. Missed his return after playing up in stalls there last month. Has ability but this is a tough comeback and needs a career best.
DOCKLANDS 3
DEEP Dock. Ascot specialist who was second in this last year. Trip suits on quick and he was unlucky in the Diomed at Epsom last time. Doesn't win many but could hit the frame again.
LAKE FOREST 3
FOREST fire. Globetrotter who won a decent pot Down Under in Nov and showed promise over 7f in France last time when finishing well. Second in Commonwealth Cup last season and interesting for a place over this trip.
LEAD ARTIST 4
TAKE the Lead. Won the Lockinge in game style and improving with every run. Proven at a mile and thriving. Solid claims if he backs that up in this hotter race.
NOTABLE SPEECH 3
FREE Speech. Last year's Guineas winner ran a fair comeback in the Lockinge. Doesn't have much to find but ran poorly at this meeting last year.
QUDDWAH 2
QUDD chewed. Two from three at Ascot over this trip and ground suits. Listed winner in France on comeback so needs more but track form a plus.
ROSALLION 5
LION has teeth. Impressive St James's Palace winner last season on quick ground. Ran well in the Lockinge when needing the run and will be fitter now. Proven in this grade and the one to beat.
3.05
GSTAAD
did well to win on debut at Navan last time despite looking green right through the race.
He wasn't helped by having to slalom for a gap entering the final furlong but got the job done.
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He will come on plenty for that run and can prove his class in a race.
Military Code
showed his liking for this track when battling to win here over 5f last time.
He'll have to step up on that but could well do so upped a furlong.
Postmodern
was an impressive debut winner at Yarmouth when absolutely tanking along.
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He is certain to build on that and has proven staying power for this trip.
Warsaw
is another Aidan O'Brien runner in the picture.
He didn't have to hit top gear when scooting in at Navan on debut and will leave that form behind in this better company.
Gavoo
stepped up from his debut second to win with something in hand at Listowel earlier this month. He will be doing his best work at the end.
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Power Blue
was beaten in a close finish for the Group 3 Marble Hill at The Curragh last time. He could build on that and has place claims.
Andab
was a place behind him in what looked a good race for the grade.
Christophe Soumillon is an interesting booking for Wolverhampton winner
Bone Marra
so check the betting.
3.40
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BELIEVING
was snapped up by the 'Lads' at Ballydoyle for a whopping £3m before making a winning start in their colours at Meydan last time.
She was impressive in taking that Group 1 sprint over this trip and ran some mighty races last season too.
She was also a good fourth in this contest when trying to come from a mile back.
Stepping up to 6f didn't suit in the Jubilee Stakes before she struck again at The Curragh in July.
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A series of near misses at the highest level then followed before that Dubai breakthrough.
Hopefully her stall one draw will be fine and she must go close under Ryan Moore.
Defending champion
Asfoora
looks a big threat again although this year's preparation hasn't been quite as smooth.
There has been no warm-up this year and she didn't stay 6f in an Aussie Group 1 last time.
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The first-time blinkers are an interesting move but we know she's been here and done it before.
Last year's second
Regional
warrants plenty of respect after chasing home the tip in Dubai last time.
He likes quick ground and trainer Ed Bethell continues in excellent form.
Night Raider
is rapid and blew away the cobwebs with a solid third in a York Group 2 last month.
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He went off too quick there and didn't last home over 6f.
It's strange that connections have waited this long to try him over the minimum trip and he should be suited by it. He could run into the places.
Starlust
won the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint over this trip in November before a poor run in Hong Kong.
He clearly needed the run at Haydock on comeback last month and should show his true colours here.
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William Buick stays on board
Mgheera
after her Temple Stakes success at Haydock 24 days ago.
She likes decent ground and is another with place claims if she can avoid the slow start she sometimes throws in.
American Affair
has a decent draw and had no luck in the Temple Stakes at Haydock when the door was slammed in his face.
He's a useful handicapper who deserves a crack at this stronger company but must improve to figure.
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West Acre
came up short in this grade in Dubai last time after landing a couple of group races.
It may have been stepping up to 6f that scuppered him and it would be no shock to see a better showing here from what could be the plum draw in stall 23.
Aesterius
wasn't disgraced at the Breeders' Cup and needed his comeback at York last month.
It's asking a lot to win but he could run into the extra places plenty of bookies will be offering.
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Tropical Storm
comes from stall 19 with Colin Keane on board and is another who could run into the first half a dozen places.
4.20
FIELD OF GOLD
can turn the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas form around with Ruling Court who beat him fair and square on the day.
Fingers were pointed at jockey Kieran Shoemark for leaving his challenge too late on the Gosden runner.
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And he did but it still took the big grey a while to hit top gear and he wasn't entirely happy going through the dip at Newmarket before being beaten half a length.
He was much more at home at The Curragh last time where he took the Irish version without breaking sweat.
He had the excellent Colin Keane on board that day and it's wise move to keep him in the saddle this afternoon.
Ascot should be right up his street although he won't want to be too far behind turning on to the short straight – Keane knows that and can get the job done.
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Although I think he'll have to settle for second place it's not a forgone conclusion that
Ruling Court
won't uphold the HQ form.
He quickened sharply when asked by William Buick and kept rolling to the line.
He should get similar ground here and Ascot's round track will play to his strengths. He can give the odds-on favourite a good race.
Henri Matisse
idled in front when winning the French Guineas by a neck.
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That was a big personal best and there's every chance he'll improve again under Ryan Moore.
He has a bit to find with the other two but is on a different level to the rest of the field.
Windlord
was Field Of Gold's pacemaker in Ireland and will do the same job and the other two Ballydoyle horses, who have no business running in this.
Let's hope it doesn't become a messy race.
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5.00
MR HAMPSTEAD
should be right at home tackling this marathon trip for the first time.
He actually ran in the Derby last season but staying was always going to be his game as he showed when striking over two miles on comeback at Goodwood last month.
He went back to the Sussex track for a crack at a hotter handicap where he went down to
Manxman
in a photo.
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He runs again here too and has solid each-way claims.
But David Egan's mount looks to have more staying power and this extra half-mile should be ideal.
The King and Queen have a good chance with
Reaching High
who moved to Willie Mullins over the winter.
He was beaten on the nod at Leopardstown over 1m4f on comeback last month and is another who looks all about staying.
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Mullins has another big chance with
Poniros
who won the Triumph Hurdle before running another cracker at Punchestown last time.
This is the furthest he's tackled and it could bring improvement.
East India Dock
is another Cheltenham winner who was brilliant when taking the Chester Cup last time.
He'll stay and only the quicker ground is a slight concern.
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Ascending
ran well at Cork last time and is in place picture along with
Comfort Zone
who has good Flat form over two miles and should appreciate this test.
5.35
TORITO
hasn't run since his excellent third in this race 12 months ago and can make a winning comeback under top pilot Colin Keane.
We know this trip and track suit and he should get his favoured decent ground too.
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He's clearly had problems but he goes well fresh and the Gosdens should have him ready to roll in what looks a wide-open contest.
Ecureuil Secret
got the job done very nicely over this trip at Epsom's Derby meeting and deserves this move out of handicap company.
He hasn't tackled quicker ground before but has a touch of class and should handle it.
Haatem
moves beyond a mile for the first time and it could bring improvement.
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He was placed in the Newmarket and Curragh Guineas last season so has plenty of talent.
He was disappointing in France last time but this could be the making of him.
Enfjaar
wasn't asked too many questions when fifth in the Brigadier Gerard on comeback last month.
He will be fitter for that run and showed his class over this trip when winning last year's John Smith's Cup.
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He goes on any ground and has his favoured hood back on here.
Liberty Lane
landed Listed honours at Goodwood last time when toughing it out ahead of Meydan.
There won't be a lot between them again and they both have place prospects.
Military Order
is the pick of the Godolphin pair but has a bit to find.
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6.10
GAVIN Cromwell rarely leaves empty handed on his British raids and his
MY MATE MOZZIE
can improve on last year's close-up third in this race.
He left his challenge a bit late and came home with a real rattle.
He has talented 5lb claimer Warren Fentiman doing the steering this time and should be right there again from effectively 4lb lower in the handicap.
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French Master
showed his liking for this testing trip when landing a battling win at Goodwood last time.
That was all the better because he managed to get through the traffic problems that are so common at that track.
A 4lb rise in the weights seems very generous and the first-time blinkers can give him a nudge too.
Ryan Moore rides
Charlus
for Willie Mullins and they are usually a potent partnership.
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He is making his Flat debut for the Irish jumps king here and could be way ahead of the handicapper.
Lavender Hill Mob
had plenty left in the tank when scoring over 1m4f at Newmarket last time.
He went from the front and kept producing when challenged. He should appreciate this stiffer test.
Caballo De Mar
has become a winning machine at lower levels and beat some useful rivals over two miles at Haydock last time.
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His staying power should be an asset and he can improve again despite being 33lb higher than his first success.
Endless Victory
has some useful form around 1m2f and it's interesting to see Charlie Appleby up him so far in distance.
He's bred to stay a bit further than he's been tackling so could find improvement.
Prydwen
has a Group 3 win on his CV over this trip and needed the run at Haydock last time after a break. He could sneak into the places at a big price.
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Templegate's tips
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