TEMPLEGATE tackles one of the best Saturdays of the year confident of giving the bookies a pasting at York.
The big race of the day is the Ebor handicap and it’s live on ITV1 at 3.35pm.
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SIEGE OF TROY (3.35 York, nap)
She’s a consistent filly from an in-form yard. Third in Irish Group 3 last time was a career best. Goes on firm, stays well and handy weight. Player for Johnny Murtagh who has won this race twice as a trainer.
ROSALLION (3.00 York, nb)
He can finally have his Group 1 day in the sun this season. Richard Hannon’s star colt has danced every big dance at a mile, running Docklands to a nose in the Queen Anne before finishing an unlucky second in the Sussex to runaway pacemaker Qirat. Dropping back to 7f on fast ground could prove ideal, especially with a searing pace likely to tee things up perfectly for his late charge.
MUDBIR (2.05 Goodwood, treble)
He can land a hat-trick for the Gosdens. The Kingman colt is three from four this season and followed a strong Sandown win by defying a big field here last time, travelling best and doing just enough. A 4lb rise for that is lenient, he likes quick ground and has more to come.
Templegate’s TV tips
YORK
1.50
BOILING POINT looks ready to bubble in an open renewal of the Strensall Stakes.
Karl Burke’s colt has been mixing it in hot company all year and shaped well when fourth in Listed class at Pontefract last time.
He’s been crying out for a truly run mile and this set-up on the Knavesmire could finally bring out his best.
Clifford Lee knows him inside out and the pair look primed to swoop late.
King’s Gambit looks a big threat after running a cracker in the Wolferton Stakes at Ascot last time out.
He will love a proper test at this trip. He’s classy but might just find one too sharp again.
Bullet Point was brilliant when winning the Clipper here on Thursday.
William Haggas won’t run him if he’s not ready and he’ll be a big danger.
Don’t dismiss Gladius, who is improving fast, but this is a big step up.
He is proven over this distance and Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy teamed up to win this race 12 months ago.
2.25
EXPECT a proper gallop in this year’s Melrose – and that’s exactly what TARRIANCE wants.
There should be loads of pace on this could turn into a war of attrition and Andrew Balding’s improving colt will relish every yard of it.
He caught the eye at Goodwood last time in a deep 1m6f handicap, cruising into it before just feeling the pinch late on.
That was his debut in handicap company and a 4lb rise seems more than fair.
With Irish champ Colin Keane in the saddle and a yard that’s won this race twice before, it all adds up.
Boatswain is climbing the ranks quickly for the Crisfords and has Buick booked which is a major plus.
He’s got a touch of class but may not want this to turn into a staying battle.
Sea Of Kings has been flying under the radar, progressing nicely and has James Doyle up.
He is a must for the shortlist at an each-way price.
Many Men is another live one with Oisin Murphy in the saddle, though he can be a bit keen and may burn energy early.
That would leave him running on fumes at the business end.
Pole Star is looking for a hat-trick and has scored twice over this trip.
He is a guaranteed stayer who can make his presence felt.
3.00
ROSALLION can finally have his Group 1 day in the sun this season.
Richard Hannon’s star colt has danced every big dance at a mile, running Docklands to a nose in the Queen Anne before finishing an unlucky second in the Sussex to runaway pacemaker Qirat.
Dropping back to 7f on fast ground could prove ideal, especially with a searing pace likely to tee things up perfectly for his late charge.
Never So Brave has been a revelation this summer, storming home in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot before following up in the Summer Mile. He stays strongly.
Lake Forest brings rock-solid 7f form to the table and looked unlucky not to get closer in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, while French raider Maranoa Charlie adds spice after his narrow defeat in the Prix Jean Prat.
Others, like Audience, who loves to bowl along, and Criterion Stakes winner Quinault, will help ensure there’s no hiding place.
Qirat nicked the Sussex Stakes thanks to some dozy rides in behind but it will be a tall order to pull off the same tactics again.
Seagulls Eleven was a Group 3 winner last time but this is much tougher.
Exactly has been running well in Group 1s but needs more.
3.35
SIEGE OF TROY can give trainer Johnny Murtagh his third win in the £500,000 Ebor at York.
The former top jockey has a big chance with this filly who was just edged out in a Group 3 at Leopardstown last time.
With a 7lb claimer on board, she has no weight and should relish this trip at a big price.
Favourite Hipop De Loire was so unlucky in this last year and is the big threat along with stablemate Ethical Diamond.
You can read my full guide to the field and 1-2-3 prediction here.
4.10
POCKLINGTON can pounce in this red-hot handicap.
Geoff Oldroyd’s colt has been threatening to crack a big-field sprint and this looks his moment.
He was really unlucky not to go much closer here last month when fifth, boxed in for a vital furlong before flashing home only half a length off the pace.
That run screamed of a horse ahead of his mark and he doesn’t have to find much more to get his head in front.
He’s powerful, still unexposed and drawn to attack from a low stall in a race where the pace looks red-hot.
Two Tribes is the form horse of the sprint division after Ascot and Goodwood wins and must command respect.
Another weight rise gives him a bit to find.
Strike Red went down narrowly to him at Goodwood and has unfinished business at this level.
Twilight Calls will be finishing strongly if the leaders overcook it, while the ever-popular Commanche Falls rarely fails to make his presence felt in these big handicaps.
Jubilee Walk has William Buick in the saddle and was a good second here last month.
He’s back from just 1lb higher with every chance.
Northern Ticker was a good fourth at Hamilton last time from a bad draw and is another with place claims.
GOODWOOD
2.05
MUDBIR can land a hat-trick for the Gosdens.
The Kingman colt is three from four this season and followed a strong Sandown win by defying a big field here last time, travelling best and doing just enough.
A 4lb rise for that is lenient, he likes quick ground and has more to come.
Rhoscolyn landed the Golden Mile and has six wins at this trick track. He’s a major player back at 7f.
Great Acclaim is thriving in blinkers and bids for a hat-trick from a good draw, though this is tougher.
Darkness was unlucky last time and is on a dangerous mark.
Back In Black looks progressive and could still be well treated, while Palmar Bay also arrives off back-to-back wins and may not have finished improving.
Gorak and Billyjoh have placed form in good company but need things to fall right.
Royal Zabeel returned to form at Newmarket but can be hit and miss overall.
2.40
PRINCE OF THE SEAS shaped best when third at Ascot last time and should relish this slight drop in grade.
The Sea The Stars gelding hit the front only to get chinned near the line.
But it was a promising effort and there’s more to come.
With the prospect of a steadily-run race, his ability to quicken should be decisive.
Majestic has ability but arrives off a long layoff and looks a touch high in the weights for what he’s achieved lately.
Crystal Flyer last won on the sand at Southwell but has shaped well in some hot races since.
Dream Harder is consistent but needs a strong tempo, which seems unlikely on paper, while Adjuvant returns from a long absence and may just need the run.
Incensed arrives in form and is still relatively unexposed at the trip but she’ll need to settle better if this turns tactical.
Warda Jamila is another who’ll be suited by the pace scenario but has something to prove against the boys.
Templegate’s tips
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