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Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 11-2 NAP on day four
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Royal Ascot tips: 'He'll power home like the class act he is' – Templegate's bullish 11-2 NAP on day four Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing from Royal Ascot confident of bashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals ZAHRANN (5.35 Ascot, nap) Zahrann is the man in the £250,000 King Edward VII Stakes. He looked like a machine when winning a Listed contest at Leopardstown last time despite being green on just his third run. He picked up strongly and powered home like a class act. Trainer Johnny Murtagh tasted lots of Ascot success as a jockey and has a potential superstar on his hands. ETHICAL DIAMOND (3.40 Ascot, nb) Pulled too hard when fourth in this Duke of Edinburgh Stakes last year. He has since improved over hurdles and Ryan Moore can settle him better to land the win. SIGNORA (2.30 Ascot, treble) Can add to Aidan O'Brien's brilliant tally with his two-year-olds this week. This daughter of Frankel looked really promising when finishing third on debut in a Naas Group 3. The yard's juveniles usually come on a bundle for their first outing. Templegate's verdicts 2.30 SIGNORA can turn the tables on Green Sense from their clash at Naas last month. That Group 3 was the tip's debut and she was very green and not asked too many questions. With Royal Ascot winners on both sides of her pedigree, she's got the profile to take a big step forward second time out. Green Sense herself had previously brushed aside the colts when winning at The Curragh on debut and is in the place picture. Fitzella impressed when making all at Haydock after a close second at Ascot. She beat Tahalel – who will improve for that run – comfortably and looks a player. Venetian Sun justified favouritism at Carlisle when ridden out to score, and the form of that race stands up. With improvement expected over this extra furlong, she won't be far away. Gold Digger showed promise when winning at Yarmouth and Jamie Spencer suits her hold-up style. 3.05 BABOUCHE is on the loose in today's £725,000 Group 1 Commonwealth Cup (3.05). She has looked speedy for Irish trainer Ger Lyons and was good enough to blow away Aidan O'Brien's Whistlejacket in last year's Phoenix Stakes. Babouche warmed up with a smooth Group 3 success at Naas last time and can improve again under top rider Colin Keane who is desperate to reward his loyal gaffer with a big winner. Shadow Of Light ran a cracker when third in the 2,000 Guineas. He showed loads of boot but didn't stay the mile. This should be an ideal trip. Templegate's runner-by-runner guide to the Commonwealth Cup AIN'T NOBODY 2 BODY blow. Royal Ascot winner last year and holding form well in Group races including when fifth in the Sandy Lane last time. He goes on any ground and likes it here but he looks a Mr Nobody in this. ARABIE 1 BYE Bie. Dual French Group winner at two but not progressed. Blinkers didn't spark much at Chantilly. Has looked short of Group 1 class. ARIZONA BLAZE 3 HOT Blaze. Group 3 winner and no disgrace when sixth at Haydock last time. Looks a pure speed horse and likely to force the pace again. Won't mind this ground and has a decent draw. Needs more to win but has a place shout. BERKSHIRE WHISPER 2 SHIRE hell. Did well on the sand this winter over this trip. This is tougher on turf but he's tough and improving. Trainer's red-hot but this is much the stiffest opposition he's faced. BIG MOJO 4 BIG player. Won Pavilion Stakes at Ascot and shaped well again in the Sandy Lane last time. He always gives his running and went close at the Breeders' Cup. Has speed, gears and heart – solid each-way contender with course form in the bank. DIABLO ROJO 2 ROJO no. Neck second to Big Mojo in the Pavilion Stakes and showed decent pace there. He likes to come from just off a strong pace and should get that here. He'll be doing his best work late so will need some luck in running. Looks a bit short of this standard. IDES OF MARCH 3 BEWARE Ides. Curragh Group 3 winner last summer and twice placed in Listed company this season. Didn't quite fire when held in a Newbury Listed contest last time but was fine with this trip. He's solid and doesn't mind quick ground. Faces smarter rivals here but won't be far away from the frame. JONQUIL 4 JON the money. Beaten just a head in French 2,000 Guineas and landed the Greenham before that over seven furlongs. He's taking a fair drop back in trip here but trainer Andrew Balding reckons he has six-furlong speed. Fascinating contender making his sprinting debut. SHADOW OF LIGHT 4 LIGHT fantastic. Dewhurst and Middle Park winner last year. Lost unbeaten record when third in the 2,000 Guineas but travelled powerfully and was just outstayed. The effort screamed six furlongs and Charlie Appleby has wasted no time. Very classy and a major threat despite yard's dire recent Royal record. SOLDIER'S HEART 2 HEART not in it. Ripon Listed winner last year and fifth at Chantilly on return after long break. Clearly needed it and will strip fitter now. Capable at this level, but will need his very best form. STRONG WARRIOR 2 WARR needs more. Unbeaten in first two and just edged out on handicap debut at Windsor. Lightly raced with a big engine he is clearly talented — but this is a huge step up in class. WHISTLEJACKET 4 JACK in the box. Top juvenile last year and Group 1 winner in France over this trip. Been beaten by Babouche twice but still ran with credit. Clearly has Group 1 class and acts on all ground. Middle draw looks good and Ryan Moore in the saddle. ARABIAN DUSK 3 DUSK may dawn. Duchess Of Cambridge winner and close second in the Sandy Lane at Haydock last time. Proven over six furlongs, handles all going and thrives in big fields. Tactically versatile so worth a place shout at long odds. BABOUCHE 5 LAND a touche. Phoenix Stakes winner last season and looked right back to best when thrashing Whistlejacket in the Lacken. Quickens up smartly and stays well. Peaking at the right time and is a major player from what should be an ideal draw. CARLA RIDGE 2 HIGH Ridge. Maiden winner at Naas and placed behind Babouche in Group 3 at Naas last time. Probably needs 7f and likely to find this test too sharp at this stage. Still learning but big task in this company. LADY WITH THE LAMP 3 LAMP lit. Improving filly with Listed wins on turf and AW this season. Got up late to win at Chelmsford latest and finishes strongly. Yet to prove she's Group 1 class but arrives in form and trainer going well — outside each-way squeak. LEOVANNI 3 VAN can motor. Won Queen Mary last year and finished full of running after traffic problems in fourth on return at Haydock. Might be peaking again just in time. Strong traveller and each-way shout if things open up. RAYEVKA 3 RAY of light. French Listed winner last time, quickened smartly and pulled clear late over this trip. One of the least exposed in the field and could be dangerous if she gets cover and delivers late which won't be easy. SAYIDAH DARIYAN 2 SAY no. Consistent filly who's been steadily climbing the ranks. with a Listed third last time. She lacks star quality but never runs a bad race. Likely to find a few of these too good. SHISOSPICY 2 TOO Spicy. American raider who landed a hat-trick on quick ground at Churchill Downs. An unknown quantity and not ruled out for a place — although US horses often fail to stay this far. SKY MAJESTY 2 SKY fall. Group 2 winner in France last season in the mud but only third on return at Chelmsford behind Sayidah Dariyan. Must bounce back sharply to get seriously involved here but this is just her fifth run. TIME FOR SANDALS 3 SANDALS has boot. Narrowly beaten in a French Group 3 last time and improving with every run. Has speed, class and trainer Harry Eustace is in excellent form. Low draw not ideal but one of many in the field who could place at long odds. 3.40 ETHICAL DIAMOND was a close fourth in this race last year off just 2lb lower when pulling too hard. He's since finished a strong fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and wears a hood for the first time on the Flat. If that helps Ryan Moore to settle him, he clearly has the engine for a race like this. The biggest threat may come from Stressfree, who was narrowly denied by Almosh'her at York before swooping late to win a good race at Haydock. He's had a nudge up the weights but his 1m4f form is stacking up nicely. Almosh'her himself has done little wrong, winning three of four starts. Now with Wathnan Racing, he's drawn wide and has tended to race freely, which could test his progress under pressure. French Duke is another key player. He was progressing well last season, winning at Goodwood and finishing second here in October. He remains unexposed. Auld Toon Loon is flying for his new yard and was just denied at Chester last time. He stays 1m4f and is still on the upgrade. 4.20 FALAKEYAH can repay the faith of her connections who forked out £46,000 to supplement her for this race. She caught the eye on her sole juvenile start on the sand but really came to the fore when making all in Listed company at Newmarket last time. She raced keenly over 1m2f there but simply wasn't for catching and the drop back in trip here could suit. She skipped both the English and French Oaks with this challenge in mind. Zarigana is the obvious threat. A granddaughter of the mighty Zarkava, she was awarded the French 1,000 Guineas by the stewards after interference and went down narrowly in the Boussac last year. She's won four of her last five and her upward curve may not have peaked yet. Coronation Stakes trends You should stay north of 108 in the official ratings when trying to pick the winner. That's bad news for Cathedral, Cercene, Falakeyah, January and Kon Tiki. Stick with horses with no more than one defeat this season. Duty First, Exactly, Flight and Simmering come up short on that score. Chantilly Lace was fifth last time which is far from ideal which leaves just one horse standing – ZARIGANA. Exactly, third in that same French Guineas, brings toughness and consistency. She's never run a bad race and could easily be in the mix again for Ballydoyle. Although she's not the choice of Ryan Moore who is on January. She was second in the Fillies' Mile last season and looked rusty in the Irish Guineas on comeback. She should leave that form behind here. Kon Tiki is unexposed and unbeaten in three, with a Listed win at York the latest step forward. William Buick gets the leg up for the first time for Jane Chapple-Hyam who doesn't chase rainbows. Chantilly Lace wasn't disgraced when fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and is open to more. Cercene has shown consistency without winning, while Duty First looks better over 7f and may struggle to stay. Cathedral has plenty to prove after a tame reappearance and, like Simmering, looks well short of this standard. 5.00 SILVER GHOST can spook the bookies for trainer Emma Lavelle. She bolted up in seven-furlong handicaps on good ground at Newmarket and Goodwood, travelling strongly and looking classy. The handicapper reacted with an 8lb hike but that may not be enough to put the brakes on. The step up to a mile looks ideal for this fast-improving type. The King has an each-way chance with Purple Rainbow who needed the run on comeback here in April and Warren Fentiman is good value for his 5lb claim. Miss Nightfall met trouble in running when second to the tip at Goodwood and also shapes as if this stiff mile will suit. Sea Poetry looks potentially overpriced given her HQ win last season reads well and she hasn't been disgraced behind good sorts this term. Sandringham Stakes trends Stick with horses that finished in the first three last time. Tabiti, Serving With Style, Mojave River, Sweet Chariot, Amangani, Nancy J, Trad Jazz, Cartwheel, Purple Rainbow and Bassadanza. Oolong Poobong, Saariselka, Dash Of Azure, Cajole, Sea Poetry, Annsar, Dancing Teapot, Alfareqa, Ryke, Arabian Leopard and Eazy On The Eye are too low in the official ratings. Bountiful has been off for too long and can be crossed out. A win this season is a plus so Betty Clover, Serving With Style, Miss Nightfall and Never Let Go can go. That leaves Silver Ghost, Supermodel and Zgharta. SUPERMODEL looks good for William Haggas who has a strong record in handicaps like this. The other two are backable at each-way prices and are well drawn so have every chance of making the frame. Tabiti could outclass these if handling a big-field handicap. She won a Group 3 before finishing midfield in the Fillies' Mile and returns in first-time blinkers on handicap debut. Irish raider Dancing Teapot looks the type to improve plenty now handicapping in cheekpieces. Never Let Go was unlucky not to win a Listed race last time – this stiff mile might be right up her alley. Dash Of Azure was impressive at Kempton on comeback and won't be far away for Ralph Beckett. 5.35 ZAHRANN is a colt who still doesn't know how good he is. He missed the kick and was green as grass in a Leopardstown Listed race last time yet still burned past all of them to win going away. That was just his third run and the way he did it – powering clear despite inexperience – screamed Group 1 potential. If he grows up a bit, they might not see which way he went. The unbeaten Amiloc is the obvious danger. He comes here with a perfect record after four wins including at Listed level. He stayed on strongly at Goodwood and will be even more dangerous if settling better. Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with Puppet Master who's improving with every run. He won the Lingfield Derby Trial last time after shaping well in the Ballysax. He's a threat. Don't rule out Convergent, who finished third in the Chester Vase. He was behind Lambourn and Lazy Griff – the Derby first and second. That's rock-solid form and he's still learning his craft. Wimbledon Hawkeye has turned up for every dance. He was second in the Craven, fifth in the Guineas, third in the Dante. He's gritty, reliable and should stay the trip with cheekpieces added. He has every chance of making the frame. Nightwalker bombed at Epsom but that wasn't his track – and it showed. He finished well in the Dante and now gets blinkers on a proper galloping course. That should bring improvement. Galveston cost 'The Lads' at Ballydoyle a cool £2m and showed more when winning at Naas last month. This longer trip should suit him. It's early days for Opportunity who was behind Amiloc at Goodwood after being hampered. He could close the eight-length gap between them today. 6.10 REALIGN can strike on handicap debut from what looks a lenient opening mark of 93. William Haggas' colt oozed class at Salisbury last month, hammering his rivals on comeback. That was over six furlongs but he's got more than enough pace for this drop to the minimum. Stormy Impact looks dangerous after rattling home to win the Epsom 3YO Dash in some style. She's up 5lb but has a blistering turn of foot and this stiffer track might suit even better. Ruby's Profit was a good third in that race when forcing the pace and is back from the same handicap mark with a chance. He was beaten by Redorange at Chester last month who made the most of a good draw. He's 9lb higher now so will have to pull out more. Hammer The Hammer made it three wins on the spin at Chester with lots left in the locker. He's another who has been racing over further but he likes to blast off from the front so this stiff five furlongs should be fine. Jorge Alvares warrants respect after a decent effort at The Curragh 16 days ago. He looks fairly handicapped for Ger Lyons. Maw Lam drops down from Listed and Group company with a 7lb claimer on board to make his mark workable. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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. 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 – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He's down in grade with a brilliant jockey taking charge' – Templegate aims to follow up winning NAP
Scroll down for our man's top tips TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Royal Ascot tips: 'He's down in grade with a brilliant jockey taking charge' – Templegate aims to follow up winning NAP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE tipped up Tuesday NAP Carmers at 6-1 and watched him storm home in the Queen's Vase at 9-2… let's aim for more of that on day three. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals DETAIN (5.35, nap) He was just denied in the French Derby earlier this month and will enjoy this drop in grade. He can give Colin Keane another big-race success as he continues to impress in his new role as No1 jockey for Juddmonte. ILLINOIS (4.20, nb) Trainer Aidan O'Brien thought he would be saddling reigning champ Kyprios for this 2m4f epic but he was forced to retire after picking up an injury just three weeks ago. For most yards, that would end their Gold Cup dreams but Ballydoyle have a supersub in this four-year-old who is crying out for a real marathon. We saw this son of supersire Galileo's quality last season when he won the Queen's Vase at this meeting. He then ran big races at Longchamp and York before going down to stablemate Jan Breughel in a head-bobber for the St Leger. He finished the season with a smooth success across the Channel over a staying trip at the Arc meeting. Chester's Ormonde Stakes was chosen for his comeback run and he didn't disappoint under Ryan Moore. He's bred to relish this trip and has much more to offer as a four-year-old. SERENITY PRAYER (3.40, treble) She was a cracking second in the Musidora at York and has much more to come on just her third start. Templegate's verdicts 2.30 CHARLES DARWIN has evolved into a high-class colt and can take the Norfolk Stakes. This strapping son of No Nay Never was impressive at Naas last time and already looks well up to this standard. He's proven over the trip and has a lot more to come. Afjan has the potential for huge improvement after a smooth success on debut at Chantilly just 18 days ago. He came through traffic problems to win going away. Naval Light was very green on debut at Beverley last month and took a long time to hit top gear. He rattled home only for the line to come too soon and will improve. Norfolk Stakes trends FRENCH raider GRAFT can make light work of the Norfolk Stakes. Stick with horses that won on their last start and it's a slight plus if that win was over this 5f trip. Horses that have run at Ascot before have a poor record. Your fancy should have run within the past four weeks. Most winners of this have been on the track no more than four times and we haven't had a favourite win since back in 2008 which is bad for Charles Darwin. The trends wipe out most of the fancied runners and leave us with an each-way bet on GRAFT who comes over from France. Sandal's Song flew home on quick ground to win on debut in the States last time. He will enjoy conditions and is right in the place picture under James McDonald. Don't rule out big-priced French raider Graft, a strong finisher who impressed in Listed company at Chantilly last time. This will be the quickest ground he's faced but he's bred to like it. 3.05 SING US A SONG hit full voice when winning on handicap debut at Sandown last time. This son of Camelot went from the front and fought off allcomers to win with plenty in hand. He will relish this extra quarter-mile and trainer Ralph Beckett has won two of the past four runnings of this. Merchant looks a big threat having proved himself over this trip when winning at York last time. He had the race put to bed a long way out and even an 8lb rise in the weights doesn't look harsh. He likes quick ground and can go close for William Haggas. Gunship got the job done nicely on the all-weather at Newcastle last time. He wasn't stopping at the line and could easily repeat his third behind the tip from that Sandown race. Serious Contender can live up to his name under Ryan Moore. He came back from a break to win on handicap debut at Leopardstown. He's had a little break since then and should appreciate this stiffer test. Masai Moon makes his handicap debut for Charlie Appleby and is another with scope for more as he tackles this longer distance. Omni Man looks the pick of the big prices after a good Roscommon success. 3.40 PUT your hands together for SERENITY PRAYER on this wise step up in distance. She caught the eye when winning at Newbury on debut and then chased home Oaks runner-up Whirl in the Group 3 Musidora at York, sticking on gamely for second. This longer trip promises to bring out more from this well-bred filly. She's got a serious engine and looks tailor-made for this test. Catalina Delcarpio demands respect after chasing home Oaks fourth Lava Stream at Navan. Ribblesdale Stakes trends GARDEN OF EDEN is rosy for the Ribblesdale Stakes. Most winners are above 94 in the official ratings and most winners of this have been on the track at least three times. All scorers in living memory had won at least one of their past five and it's best to have run within the past 50 a big plus to have won this season too. That sees us left with a shortlist of Caspi Star, Catalina Delcarpo, Garden Of Eden and Serenity Prayer. Given Aidan O'Brien is going for his third win in a row GARDEN OF EDEN looks the one to beat. She's lightly raced and bred to improve at 1m4f so looks the danger. Caspi Star was a more than decent third in the Cheshire Oaks last time and should appreciate this stiffer stamina test. Go Go Boots wasn't herself in the Oaks where the track didn't suit but had shaped well before that behind Serenity Prayer. First-time blinkers may help if that Epsom effort hasn't left a mark. Garden Of Eden took a big step forward when landing a Listed event at Naas and Ryan Moore sides with her over two Ballydoyle stablemates. 4.20 DEFENDING champ Kyprios may be missing but Aidan O'Brien can still strike gold with ILLINOIS who looks ideal for this stamina test. He showed his liking for Ascot by winning last year's Queen's Vase before going close in the St Leger when just edged out by stablemate Jan Breughel in a head-bobber. Ryan Moore on his Thursday rides The world's No1 jockey speaks in association with World Pool... LOGICALLY speaking, this racing game is a biological sport — it's all down to breeding. And CHARLES DARWIN (2.30) is bred to be one of the elite. He's a son of brilliant sprinter No Nay Never and a brother to Blackbeard, who was fourth in the Coventry as a two-year-old and won the Group 1 Middle Park at three. Charles Darwin has three runs under his belt, which is a big help coming to a stage like Royal Ascot. He won his last two starts pretty comfortably and sets the standard for this five-furlong dash. I had the choice of SERIOUS CONTENDER (3.05), Propose and Light As Air in the King Charles Stakes. They are all nice sorts but I decided on Serious Contender who has been put away since winning at Leopardstown on his reappearance this season. He's in good shape. Light Of Air was probably unlucky not to beat Serious Contender the last time at Leopardstown and the step up in trip will suit him. In the Ribblesdale, I'm on GARDEN OF EDEN (3.40) who won a Listed race at Naas and is a tough filly who will be suited by the step up in trip. She found plenty for pressure and showed a good attitude, so I'm looking forward to getting back on her. Stablemate Ecstatic is a likeable filly too. She's got lots of ability and we're yet to see the best of her. Hopefully, ILLINOIS (4.20) can prove to be a good replacement for Kyprios in the Gold Cup. Illinois has never gone this far but I've won it on a couple of four-year-olds who came into the race with the same profile. He won the Queen's Vase here last year, is a winner of the St Leger, won well at Longchamp on his final start last season and then made a winning return at Chester this year. He gives every impression he'll stay and likes quick ground. Candelaria is another four-year-old who is open to improvement, while Trawlerman has been here and got the T-shirt so is a solid challenger. It's not quite as hot as it can get in the SERENGETI (5.00) but he takes his chance in the Ascot Stakes. He made the running in the French Guineas but faded. This is a drop in class but it's hard to know his level. TRINITY COLLEGE (5.35) comes into this meeting off the back of a very good fourth in the French Derby and has every chance of winning this on all known form. Detain finished just ahead of him in that, so is a worthy favourite. Reyenzi is an outsider to look out for. I'm riding ROI DE FRANCE (6.10) for John Gosden in the last. He's got to carry plenty of weight but has run well in some very hot handicaps. He is capable of making the frame. He's a resolute galloper who's looked a thorough stayer every time he's been asked to go up in distance. French raider Candelari looks a live threat. He's lightly raced for a four-year-old and won four of five starts. He took a Longchamp Group 1 in style last month, powering home over an extended 1m7f. Gold Cup trends ILLINOIS can hand Aidan O'Brien an incredible tenth Ascot Gold Cup win. No horse older than the great Yeats in 2009 has won this beyond the age of six in decades. That cuts out three of today's hopefuls in Trawlerman, Coltrane and Dubai Future who is nine and would be the oldest winner since Beeswing in 1842! We lose Sweet William because you need to have won one of your past two starts. You generally have to be in the teens when it comes to the official ratings too which is bad news for Wonder Legend and Yashin. So it's Candelari v Illinois when it comes to the trends. Given you have to go back 20 years for the last French winner, we'll go with ILLINOIS who comes from Aidan O'Brien who is the most successful trainer in the race's long and decorated history. That win came on firmer ground than official going suggested, and he's improving fast. This test could be right up his street too with classy Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. Old warrior Trawlerman ran a blinder in this last year when chasing home Kyprios and returned to winning ways at Sandown last time. He'll likely be up there pressing Illinois from the outset. You have to go back a century for the last seven-year-old winning their first Gold Cup. Sweet William is quirky but tough and ran third in this 12 months ago. He's sure to stay and shouldn't be far away again after a decent comeback third at York last time. 5.00 RAAFEDD straight to the payout queue with this William Haggas improver. He cost £370,000 as a yearling and had a couple of quiet runs before winning impressively at Newbury last month. He showed a sharp turn of foot and hit the line hard over 7f. This extra furlong should suit and his opening handicap mark of 92 looks more than fair. Teroomm brings some sharp form, having landed the always-competitive Silver Bowl at Haydock to complete a hat-trick. He has a 6lb rise to contend with but looks a tough colt for Roger Varian who won this in 2020. Britannia Stakes trends TEROOMM can zoom home to win another fiendishly tricky Britannia Stakes. The draw has played a big part in this with only winner from single figures in the past 12 runnings. So Seagolazo, Hawksbill, Consolidation, Hott Shott, Chaplin, Afentiko, Defence Minister, Shameful and Fifth Column may struggle from their stalls. Looking at official ratings, Wolf Of Badenoch, La Botte, Supido and Arabian Story are a little high. It's best to have finished first or second last time which can't be said of Dividend, The Fingal Raven, Brise Noir, Serengeti, Linwood, Shout, Tribal Nation and The Lost King so they have to be crossed out. God Of War, Parole D'Oro and Brave Mission have yet to win this season. We've managed to cut them down to six – Teroomm, Thunder Wonder, Fearnot, Iceford, Raafedd and Arctic Grey. That's not a bad shortlist from the original 30 runners! For a single bet, Roger Varian has won this race before and that has to be a positive for his TEROOMM who comes here on the back of three wins. Brave Mission improved again when second over 7f on handicap debut here, shaping as though today's extra furlong would suit. Fearnot was a wide-margin course-and-distance winner in May and must be respected despite a 10lb hike. Fifth Column has hit form since being gelded and landed a Sandown handicap with something in hand. The addition of cheekpieces could unlock more. Consolidation impressed on handicap debut at Goodwood and this extra furlong will suit. La Botte is another with plenty going for him. 5.35 DETAIN can make his Classic class pay dropping back to Group 3 level for the Gosdens. He ended last season with a solid Futurity Stakes run on ground that was much too soft and, after a scoot around Chelmsford in April, left that form behind when a close-up sixth in the French 2,000 Guineas. He improved again when upped to this trip in the French Derby where he was beaten less than a length. That's high-class form and there's more to come. His main danger was a nose behind him at Chantilly - Trinity College for Aidan O'Brien. He went from the front in France and faded in the dying strides. He was the second string last time but has Ryan Moore in the saddle today. Jackknife is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Defoe and made a promising debut at Epsom. He shaped nicely when third in a Listed race at Sandown latest and should improve for stepping beyond a mile for the first time. High Stock has had just two runs, winning the Wood Ditton and then narrowly going down in the Dee Stakes. He's open to improvement and is dangerous. Tornado Alert must be right in the hunt too after his sixth in the Derby when he didn't get home. 6.10 AKKADIAN THUNDER can make a big noise in this red-hot handicap. He was a tidy winner for David O'Meara at Doncaster just 12 days ago, comfortably seeing off Billyjoh — last year's second who is a contender again — and he's only 6lb higher after that excellent effort. He's run well before over this specialists' trip and comes here in flying form for a yard that knows how to land big pots. English Oak has been quiet for a while but is just 1lb higher than when blitzing this 12 months ago — and now gets first-time cheekpieces. He's been popular with ante-post punters. Gleneagle Bay is another with standout recent form, finishing a head third in last month's Victoria Cup despite being away from the main action. He's joined Amo Racing since and goes up just 3lb. Never So Brave was unlucky not to get past Myal at Chester last time, having been hampered late. That followed a good season for Sir Michael Stoute and a midfield run in the Jersey Stakes here. He's unexposed and should run a nice race. Roi De France was one-paced in the Victoria Cup and needs more off just 1lb lower, but he changed hands this week for £380,000 and cheekpieces go on for the first time. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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. 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 – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He looks an absolute machine' – Templegate's confident 6-1 NAP on day two of Royal Ascot
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Royal Ascot tips: 'He looks an absolute machine' – Templegate's confident 6-1 NAP on day two of Royal Ascot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on a sizzling day two at Royal Ascot confident of smashing the bookies. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ROYAL ASCOT - Best betting offers and new sign-up deals CARMERS (3.05, nap) Twomey or not Twomey — that is the question on Day Two of Royal Ascot. Top Irish trainer Paddy Twomey has a huge chance in the Queen's Vase. This son of Wootton Bassett has looked like a machine on his two runs so far. After a bloodless maiden win at Ballinrobe, he stepped up to 1m5f for a smooth Listed success at Navan. He travelled sweetly off the pace before picking up strongly to win going away. This greater test of stamina again will be ideal and there's a lot more to come under experienced jockey Billy Lee. ANMAAT (4.20, nb) Can turn the tables on Los Angeles in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes. They had a right ding-dong at The Curragh last time but this track suits Jim Crowley's mount better and he can strike. QIRAT (5.00, treble) Will enjoy stepping up to a mile for the Royal Hunt Cup. He needed his comeback when beaten on the nod in the Victoria Cup here. Templegate's verdicts 2.30 TRUE LOVE can have a fairytale ending in the Queen Mary. The Aidan O'Brien runner has copped what should be a nice high draw and she's been second in a couple of hot maidens in Ireland. She can take the extra step needed here. All the money has come for Zelaina, Karl Burke's £650,000 Mehmas flyer, who looked something out of the ordinary when destroying her rivals at Nottingham on debut. She made all with ease and clocked a good speed figure. Burke used the same stepping stone for Leovanni last year and she's the danger at skinny odds. American raider Lennilu has blitzed her rivals on both starts so far and should love the fast ground. She'll blast off and take plenty of catching. Queen Mary Stakes trends The draw has played a big part in this sprint with only one winner coming from a single-figure stall in the past 12 runnings. You need at least one win on your CV too. So Shine On Me, Paris Carver, Cardiff By The Sea, Justice Twice and True Love are the next to go. More than one defeat is also a negative for Guernsey Lady. Harry's Girl, Eternal Solace and Social Exclusion didn't win last time out while Viamarie has been off too long. Miss Yechance and America are too big a price to be winning on the stats. Seven of the past eight favourites have lost so Zelania fans have a worry. So the final three are Lennilu, Secret Hideaway and Society Kiss. Spicy Marg could be the pick of the home team after she zoomed away from her rivals at Newmarket last time. Secret Hideaway had a few of these behind when taking a York Listed prize in good style and can prove that was no fluke. Society Kiss showed her liking for the track when winning on debut and Ralph Beckett's fillies often take a big step forward from their first outing. Revival Power is the sister of Nunthorpe winner Winter Power and is another with plenty of scope after an impressive debut win at Thirsk. Staya is another with place claims after her Yarmouth win. 3.05 CARMERS looked a class act when following up a maiden win at Ballinrobe with a commanding three-length Listed success at Navan last time. That performance was visually striking and backed up by the clock too. He's already proven his stamina for this sort of test and has a lot more to come for in-form trainer Paddy Twomey. Aidan O'Brien has a strong hand as usual. Queen's Vase trends We can cut the Queen's Vase field down very quickly as the first three in the betting have a fantastic recent record. Only shock 2016 winner Sword Fighter at 33-1 has broken the dominance of the market principals in almost two decades. So wait for the opening show but this looks to be between Shackleton, Carmers and Scandinavia barring any significant market moves. Of those Scandinavia is a bit too low in the official ratings and Shackleton was only fourth last time out which has been a no-no in 22 of the past 23 years. So that leaves way for CARMERS to strike. Shackleton is the apparent first string under Ryan Moore. He shaped better than the result in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh when denied a clear run and should relish this longer trip. Stablemate Scandinavia was a wide-margin Navan maiden winner on reappearance and brings untapped potential under Derby hero Wayne Lordan. Devil's Advocate steps up from a solid Dante fourth but that York effort came in ideal conditions and he now faces a stamina test. Rahiebb is on the upgrade and ran a cracker when second in a hot York handicap. He could be the value option at a decent price ahead of Chester Vase fourth Pinhole. 3.40 CINDERELLA'S DREAM blossomed with a dazzling return in the Dahlia at Newmarket last time. She was a class apart at Newmarket, surging clear of 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka and clocking a big speed figure in the process. Already a Grade 1 winner in America, she is right at home on fast ground and will take plenty of stopping. Fallen Angel is the danger as she below Group 1 company for the first time since 2023. The Irish 1,000 Guineas winner was a touch flat in the Lockinge but needed the run after seven months off. Ryan Moore on his Tuesday rides The world's top jockey gives us the lowdown in association with World Pool... THE sun is out and Love is in the air on Day Two. My afternoon kicks off with TRUE LOVE (2.30) in the five-furlong Queen Mary. She has finished second on both starts so far but she is by No Nay Never and is a big, strong filly who will be suited by a strong pace over this trip. SHACKLETON (3.05) needed the run over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh last time and it was a messy race. He will take a step forward for that. You must stay the trip round here and my horse will. Some people out there still doubt LOS ANGELES (4.20) but that doesn't bother me. He's rock solid and I wouldn't swap him for stiff mile and a quarter at Ascot will suit him well. Anmaat won the Champions Stakes in October and ran well when we fended him off at the Curragh last month. He's an obvious threat. See The Fire has been supplemented at a fair cost and was impressive at York. She is a lovely filly but maybe she is better suited to the Knavesmire rather than here. Map Of Stars was a little unlucky when second in the Prix Ganay and Ombudsman is a talented horse who I've ridden a couple of times. He might not want the ground as quick as it will be today. I'm on THE LIFFEY (5.00) in the Royal Hunt Cup, who has been very well backed. He finished fourth on his first start for Joseph O'Brien in a Listed race at Navan. That form has been franked, as the winner has gone on to win a decent race in France. There's plenty to like about The Liffey, but it's very competitive and lots of yards will think they have a well-handicapped horse. I close with KANSAS (6.10) arrives here off the back of an okay run at Navan. He's consistent but will need to find a bit more improvement to be in the mix. She made all when landing the Curragh classic last year and has the pace to get handy again. There's no obvious reason why Emalka will turn the HQ form around with the tip and a bigger threat could be last year's winner Running Lion. She has cheekpieces on for the first time and looked much more like her old self when second at Haydock last time. We know she likes this trip and track on fast ground and she could hit the frame. One Look ran a decent race in this grade at The Curragh last time but needs more in this company. 4.20 ANMAAT can turn around last month's Tattersalls Gold Cup form with Los Angeles who got the run of the race at The Curragh. I don't often consider wind direction as part of the form but there was a very strong tailwind in Kildare that day and it was a huge help to prominent runners like Los Angeles who were literally blown to victory while hold-up horses struggled to land a blow. I would say Anmaat ran a massive race to come from a fair way back to actually head his rival at one stage before just getting chinned half a length. Last year's Champion Stakes hero has more than proven himself at this level and he boasts a fine overall Ascot record. Jim Crowley will hopefully sit just off the pace and come through with a late rattle as he did here in October. Los Angeles is likely to run another mighty race too. Prince Of Wales's Stakes trends Since this race was brought back to the meeting in 1968, no horse older than six has ever wonn and six-year-olds struggle too. So Anmaat, Certain Lad, Facteur Cheval and Royal Champion are gone. You also really need to be north of 119 in the official ratings. That can't be said of Map Of Stars, Ombudsman or Continuous. So very quickly the killee trends have reduced the Group 1 field down to just a pair of contenders in Los Angeles and See The Fire. Connections of the latter forked out a whopping £70,000 to run here so think they'll get their money back. But Aidan O'Brien has won this three times since 2017 which surely tips the scales in favour of his LOS ANGELES who also has a Group 1 win on his CV which has been a pointer to success in this contest. He stays this trip strongly, acts on any ground and Ryan Moore should have near the front and ready to kick on around the home bend. Ombudsman lost his unbeaten record when second in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown but he was entitled to need that comeback and should be a lot fitter for it. He impressed when winning four straight last season, including at Longchamp. A strongly-run race over this trip should bring out his best and he'll be hard to keep out of the frame. Map Of Stars looked unlucky in the Prix Ganay when denied a clear run before flying late to go down by a neck. He's got a couple of Group contest on his CV with quick ground being the only worry as he's a winner on heavy. Connections paid a fortune to supplement See The Fire after her sensational Middleton Stakes win at York last time. She put that Group 2 to bed by 12 lengths and gets valuable weight from the fellas. There's more improvement to come on this sharp hike in class. Facteur Cheval wasn't disgraced when trying to retain his Grade 1 Dubai Turf title last time and he was a good second in the QEII Stakes here in October. He's another who probably doesn't want the ground rattling fast. 5.00 QIRAT has a fantastic record up this straight track in a big field. He ran a cracker in last year's Britannia Stakes before going close at the October meeting. He made his seasonal comeback in the red-hot Victoria Cup here in May and went down in a head-bobber. His family normally improve as four-year-olds and this longer trip will be ideal. Royal Hunt Cup trends Despite all the draw talk in the Hunt Cup, we've had winners right across the track in recent seasons. It's stall 11-4-15-7-20 for the past five winners. Stick between 9st and 9st5lb for your fancy and you need to have won at least three times on the level. You have to be 96 or higher on official ratings. Look for horses that have a recent win and have run no more than three times this season. Horses older than five tend to struggle. That leaves us with 30 runners cut down to just Bullet Point, Silawi, Urban Lion and Fox Legacy who range from 10-1 to 28-1 so you could back all four. Well-backed My Cloud looks a danger along with The Liffey under Ryan Moore. Arabian Light and Bullet Point look big each-way prices. Royal Hunt Cup runner-by-runner guide I run through every runner in the handicap cracker, rating them out of five stars. One is the worst - five the best. ARABIAN LIGHT 4 LIGHT fantastic. Strong Newmarket third after good runs in Dubai. Improver who stays. Well drawn and solid each-way. HI ROYAL 2 HI low. Gr1-placed last year and second in good race latest. Stays but high in weights. WAHDAN 1 DESPERATE Dan. Fancy French form as a youngster but been poor for a while. Big weight. JEFF KOONS 2 UNBELIEVABLE Jeff. Well held in Goodwood Listed last time. Best over further, needs more to figure in this company. QIRAT 5 RAT fan. Likes it here and just pipped in the Victoria Cup over 7f last time. Will stay, handles any ground and on fair mark. Huge player under Colin Keane. ANCIENT ROME 2 ROME alone. Group placed at best but not firing this season. Needs a revival. SOLDIER'S EMPIRE 1 EMPIRE falling. Bits of form in Dubai but best over further. Up against it. EPICTETUS 2 NEEDS an Epic. 2023 Group winner, fair comeback after a year off at Newbury. Place hope but still high in weights. GALERON 3 RON the money. Lincoln fifth on return but modest latest. Trip suits and while he's unreliable but could nick a place if bringing his best form. SEAN 2 SEAN bean. Three poor UK runs after fair efforts in Dubai. Weight looks too big. BLUE BROTHER 1 TOO Blue. French raider ran OK in Saudi latest over further but 13lb above last win. TONY MONTANA 3 TONY Tiger. Narrow seconds at York and Goodwood this season over 1m2f. Drop in trip could help along with blinkers. Solid each-way. LA TRINIDAD 3 LA law. Ran well last two over this trip and handicap mark looks fair and enjoys a strong pace. Could place at long odds. THE LIFFEY 4 DEEP Liffey. Unexposed and solid Listed run last time at Naas. Should relish the step up to a mile and has more to come with Moore up. Player. POPMASTER 3 POP has bottle. Good fourth in Victoria Cup here over 7f from a poor position and track suits. On a long losing run but not out of place battle. EBT'S GUARD 2 ON Guard. Solid Epsom run last time and likes this trip. 5lb above last win so needs more. MAGNUM OPUS 2 BAG Mag. Good fourth in Lincoln latest so trip and big field suit. Needs another step forward. TALIS EVOLVERE 2 TALL Tal. Only 2lb above last win but best on the sand and Windsor run was modest. Needs a lot more to figure. BULLET POINT 4 ON Point. Won very nicely on comeback at HQ. Unexposed at 1m and ground suits. Leading chance from rails draw. SILAWI 2 HERE Wi go. Made all at Windsor in a small field last time but faces a far tougher task here. URBAN LION 3 LION roars. Has 5lb penalty for last week's stylish Sandown win. Trip suits and could nick a place upped in class with more improvement to come. BOPEDRO 2 NO Bo. Veteran on long losing run. Trip fine and weight's fair but asking a lot to win. FOX LEGACY 4 FANTASTIC Fox. Bolted up at Newmarket on stable debut and shorter trip should be fine. 6lb rise gives him a chance under Oisin Murphy. WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR 2 ROCK off. Six-time 2024 winner over this trip but at lower level. Best on sand and up weights. GREEK ORDER 3 GREEK to me. Interesting on UK return after fair spell in US. Nice draw and well backed. TOIMY SON 3 SON up. Has run well in big fields but not this year. Trip and track suit and could nick a place. MY CLOUD 4 CLOUD may reign. Unbeaten this season and impressed here in April when winning easily. Trip ideal on firm and has more to come. Short odds but big chance from good draw. SISYPHEAN 3 HE's no Sisy. Close second in hot York handicap over this trip on return. Unexposed. Player if repeating that from fair 2lb higher in the weights. TOKENOMICS 3 LOVE Token. Won well over 7f at Cork last time and likes to come off a strong pace. Each-way say with longer trip no issue. WHIP CRACKER 2 WHIP out. Patchy form at lower levels. Went well at Sandown but this is much tougher. 5.35 AROLLA can rock his rivals to give trainer Harry Charlton a first Royal Ascot win in his own name. This improving daughter of Kingman made a cracking return when second to the smart Jabaara in a Musselburgh Listed race earlier this month and now drops into handicap company off a perfectly fair mark of 100. My fancy stayed on eye-catchingly from off the pace. With the strong gallop expected to suit her hold-up style, she can pounce late under top Irish jockey Colin Keane. There's every chance of a Royal winner thanks to Rainbows Edge who could well be the proverbial Group horse lurking in a handicap. He has earned top weight after an impressive victory over course and distance last time. That was just his fourth run so there should be a lot more to come from William Buick's mount. He got the better of Arisaig but there was less than a length between them so Charlie Johnston's hope isn't out of this and is slightly better off at the weights. Kayhana is a strong traveller for Gavin Cromwell and she returned to form with a close second at Gowran last time. She'll need luck from stall seven but should come home strongly. Rockymountainway is on the upgrade and shaped as though the step back up to a mile will suit when a strong second at Kempton. At huge odds, Thelma's Angel caught the eye when sixth in a Musselburgh listed contest and could outrun her price now dropping back into a handicap. 6.10 OLD IS GOLD can shine under James Doyle. He was a good third on debut here before winning nicely at Beverley last time. Wathnan shelled out £200,000 to buy him after that and he can repay a big chunk of that here. Rogue Legend looks dangerous after back-to-back wins in Ireland and he's another to have changed hands for big money since. There was plenty of juice in the ground at Tipperary last time which he won't get here though. Kansas went down fighting at Navan last time but has had three goes to get off the mark. Rogue Supremacy lagged in on debut at Wetherby and is proven on quick ground. He could be anything for David O'Meara. Tough Critic flew home to win in America last time and is another for the shortlist on ideal ground. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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. 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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Royal Ascot tips: ‘He can prove his class for a legendary duo' – Templegate's 11-2 day one NAP
TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS 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. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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. 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 – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
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. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and bag yourself some of our best free bet offers. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS 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. . 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