TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of racing confident of banging in some winners.
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Back any horse you fancy simply by clicking their odds below.
FRESH (3.00 Ascot, nap)
Looks ripe for the International. James Fanshawe’s flyer won this two years ago and has dropped down the weights since. He caught the eye last time and looks to have been laid out for this at one of his favourite tracks.
DEVOTED QUEEN (2.25 Ascot, nb)
Will have her rivals bowing down. Charlie Appleby’s filly is yet to put a foot wrong and will have too much up her sleeve against this motley crew.
NEW CENTURY (4.15 Ascot, treble)
Can raise his bat. His Doncaster form is working out very well and he has the potential to be smart.
Templegate’s verdicts
ASCOT
1.50
HANDCUFFED looks a secure bet. She was backed off the boards before her debut win at Newbury and can kick on now chucked straight into stakes company.
It’s impossible to read too much into her debut as Oisin Murphy barely had to touch her as she cruised to victory.
The form of her novice looks okay without being anything too special but she was in a different league and has bags of pace.
Simmering is the horse they all have to beat. She is still a maiden after two starts but went down narrowly to Fairy Godmother in the Albany.
That is by far the best form on offer. She has since been bought by Al Shaqab Racing and Ryan Moore jumps on today.
Mandurah looked impressive on debut on the July Course. The form of that race has been knocked though with several in behind beaten since.
Tales Of The Heart drops in class after a midfield finish in the Duchess Of Cambridge and should not be ignored.
2.25
DEVOTED QUEEN will have her rivals bowing down to her. She has not put a foot wrong in three starts and might be in a different league to these.
Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old has been off since her win in the Michael Seely at York in May so something must have gone amiss at some point.
The form of that race has worked out well and she was touted as a Coronation Stakes filly. If that was realistic she should be winning this.
The only worry is that she has been keen and might be a bit fresh after a break.
Soprano will likely pick up the pieces if the selection does fluff her lines. She won the Sandringham off a big weight and backed that up with a third in Listed company when the ground would not have been ideal.
Friendly Soul has a bit to prove after she blew her lid in the Musidora. The drop back to a mile will suit and she looks a big price.
Sirona is rock solid at this level and was not disgraced in the Falmouth last time.
3.00
FRESH won this race back in 2022 and proved he is back in form with an eye-catching second here two weeks ago.
He’s now 7lb lower than in 2022 after a barren run but there’s no doubt he is running back into form.
The booking of Billy Loughnane is a sign of confidence and he loves these big field handicaps.
Being drawn high is usually fine in this race and all signs point to a big run.
Carrytheone could not have had a worse run through in the Bunbury Cup when backed into favourite and has an obvious chance today.
He’s off the same mark and wasn’t beaten miles in the Buckingham Palace at the Royal meeting.
Orazio was another hard luck story last time and is capable of winning a big pot like this if the cards fall right.
Billyjoh is only up 2lb for his blinder at Royal Ascot but is still 12lb above his last winning mark and that has to be a worry. Of the rest, don’t rule out big run from top-weight Make Me King.
3.40
I’M in love with REBEL’S ROMANCE in the King George as Auguste Rodin can’t be trusted at nearly even money.
Charlie Appleby’s globetrotting star isn’t getting the respect he deserves as he has been earning his millions far and wide.
It is no mean feat going to Hong Kong and winning one of their big races. Before that the six-year-old struck in the Sheema Classic. The quicker the ground the better his chance is.
Auguste Rodin got back on track in the Prince Of Wales’s. That was a big step back in the right direction and his trainer is convinced his Jekyll and Hyde days are behind him.
But there should not be such a difference between the pair in the betting.
Bluestocking would be suited by more give underfoot. But connections have taken her out of next week’s Nassau so must be set on this.
She deserves respect as she is a horse on the up and can make the boys work for it. She is not shy of pace whatsoever.
Luxembourg is a class act on his day and should not be ruled out. Sunway is becoming a bit of a nearly horse but is an each-way contender.
Middle Earth is a strong stayer but his tendency to start slowly tend to put him on the backfoot.
4.15
NEW CENTURY can raise his bat. His latest win at Doncaster has been well advertised with the form working out very well.
He took a big step forwards from his debut to beat a smart field up on Town Moor.
Favourite columnist Andrew Balding fancies his chances and he could be a horse to follow for the rest of the season with a big display.
Chancellor was a rare winning debutant for the Gosdens but it was no fluke as he won as he liked despite being very green.
The worry is he learnt very little as nothing could go with him and that might cost him in a small but competitive field.
Al Qudra sets the standard off the back of his fifth in the Coventry.
But I think he might prove vulnerable with that race not looking a strong renewal. Brian needs more after a minor win last time.
YORK
2.05
PAUL MIDGLEY has won this three times since 2017 and his BIRKENHEAD must be a big player.
The seven-year-old won this two seasons ago and is off the same mark again today. He comes into it in tip-top form after easy wins at Lingfield at Catterick.
A wide draw is the only slight negative. Woobay looked miles ahead of the handicapper when delivering at Ripon last time. He was well-backed and should have more to offer.
David O’Meara is another trainer to target this race and his Soul Seeker should not be ignored despite his recent form.
Ian Williams can line one up for races like this and his Night On Earth is even more interesting if the money comes for him. This is a big drop in class for the six-year-old.
Golden Rainbow fluffed his lines at Beverley but if he bounces back to form looks an each-way shout.
2.40
POP the KORKER for canny Karl Burke. The Yorkshireman is having a season to remember and his sprinter can make the most of a drop in class.
He holds stakes form behind Believing and Starlust and was sent off jolly for a red-hot handicap here at the Dante meeting.
He’s now lower in the weights and shaped like he had returned to form here last time. The move to six furlongs is wise.
Trefor is the one they have to beat on paper. He is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Windsor and Newmarket. York is a different track and he’s up another 8lb.
Silky Wilkie is reliable but hasn’t won since April last year and the handicapper continues to cut him no slack.
Bergerac will come hard and late but his style is suited to tracks like Newcastle better.
3.15
WRITE off ALFLAILA at your peril. Owen Burrows’ horse is back to defend his crown and has since run with credit in a pair of Group 1s.
In the Prince Of Wales’s he was caught on heels in the straight and could never hit top gear.
That was after a layoff and he will be much sharper today. He is a smooth traveller and York suits him. Passenger is the big threat after his runaway win at Chester.
But he has had a couple of setbacks since and has a bit to prove on his return. His Huxley win has been boosted by Israr.
Three-year-old King’s Gambit gets all the weight and should have won the Hampton Court at Ascot.
This is the first time he takes on his elders and he still needs more.
Royal Rhyme is best with some juice underfoot.
Templegate’s tips
ASCOT
1.15 Back In Black
1.50 Handcuffed
2.25 Devoted Queen (nb)
3.00 Fresh (nap)
3.40 Rebel’s Romance
4.15 New Century (treble)
4.50 Elnajmm
5.25 Woodhay Wonder
SALISBURY
6.00 Invited
6.30 Mick’s Spirit
7.00 Basic Instinct
7.30 Moe’s Legacy
8.00 Chourmo
8.30 Kingkeer
LINGFIELD
5.15 Sneaky Blinder
5.45 Humaniste
6.15 Oasis Sunrise
6.45 Marsh Benham
7.15 Miss Stormy Night
7.45 Acer
8.15 Boom Boom Pow
NEWCASTLE
2.00 Bushfire
2.35 Tryfan
3.10 Bear Kode
3.50 Johnny Ringo
4.25 Struck Gold
5.00 Split Elevens
5.30 Musical Diva
CHESTER
2.10 Wiltshire Lad
2.45 Infinite Honour
3.20 Dembe
4.05 Matters Most
4.40 Ecclesiastical
5.20 Accrual
5.50 Grey Cuban
YORK
2.05 Birkenhead
2.40 Korker
3.15 Alflaila
4.00 Beauty Queen
4.35 Theme Park
5.10 Ziggy
5.40 Bill’s Baar
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