TEMPLEGATE takes on Saturday’s racing confident of banging in some winners.
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AMERICAN AFFAIR (3.30 Haydock, nap)
Has found huge improvement over the last 12 months. This time last year the Jim Goldie-trained sprinter was rated just 80 and given his progression the handicapper now has him on 105. He has started this season in the form of his life with smooth handicap wins at Musselburgh and York. His latest victory was most impressive as he made a field of handicappers look ordinary as he scythed through them no trouble to get to the front before idling close home. He’ll get plenty of cover from stall 10 and loves to chase a fast pace.
TEROOMM (1.50 Haydock, nb)
Looked one to follow when defying a penalty at Thirsk last time. He lacks experience on handicap debut but there was a lot to like about the way he battled last time. Top jock Silvestre de Sousa rides this track better than anyone.
BIG MOJO (3.00 Haydock, treble)
Was as good as ever when making a winning return in a Group 3 at Ascot last month. He has strengthened up over the winter and comes into this race with the best form.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
BEVERLEY
2.10
ARTISTA left behind a disappointing debut by making all the running over course and distance last time.
She still looked very inexperienced that day but was well on top at the line in the style of a horse with lots more to offer.
She can improve past some similar rivals in a very tricky heat.
Ali Shuffle has run to similar figures in all three of her wins, including a track and trip success.
She sets the form standard based on her Lily Anges win at Chester last time and has to be respected.
Argentine Tango was behind Ali Shuffle on debut but has taken two big steps forward since, most recently when second at Carlisle under a penalty.
She is another who could take another leap forward in a trappy affair.
Angel Numbers tanked her way to success in a weak-looking race at Chepstow on debut.
She was green as grass throughout, however, and could leave that bare form in the wing mirrors here.
2.45
NAVAL LIGHT can help Wathnan and Karl Burke go back to back in this race with a debutante.
Shareholder overcame greeness last year to make a winning start and this year’s representative cost a whopping 360,000gns as a breeze up.
He’s bred to be extremely forward and Burke has a good knack for getting them ready for their first start.
The form standard is set by Raakeb, who won with plenty to spare on debut at Ripon.
He is bred to want further than this, but Richard Hannon has his string in great form and it would be no surprise if he was able to concede the weight to his main rivals.
Old Is Gold ran a cracker on debut at Ascot in a race that looks to be useful.
He is sure to take a big step forward for Andrew Balding, who can do little wrong this campaign and is respected.
Tropical Dreamer made a winning course and distance debut last month. That form looks modest and he will need to improve.
GOODWOOD
1.30
RARE CHANGE lashed home on his first try of this trip at York 10 days ago.
He’s effectively 2lb lower thanks to Warren Fentiman’s claim and he’s unexposed at the distance as he bids for a hat-trick.
He’s closely matched with Best Rate on latest running, but Richard Hughes’ improver won with a bit up his sleeve.
Power Fizz has won on two of his three handicap starts, with the sole defeat being by just a head.
He can continue improving for top connections.
Bob Mali boiled over at Chester when last seen. He’s capable of much better than that and he’s interesting returning to the seven-furlong distance.
Pellitory won a decent race at Newmarket on his return before flopping in a Listed contest.
He’s worth another chance now dropped in class.
3.15
VICTORIA HARBOUR was a bitter disappointment on debut at Wolves but left that as a distant memory when showing a gritty attitude to win second-time up at Wetherby last month.
She battled back in game fashion after looking beaten and the inexperience she showed — along with her pedigree — suggests she could be difficult to pass again if able to lead.
Rhapsody was an eyecatching winner on debut at Windsor last year when looking completely clueless.
She was far too fresh on seasonal reappearance and did herself no justice, but she is surely capable of better now she’s back on the turf.
Queen Of Thieves ran a bizarre race in the Cheshire Oaks when dropping out tamely.
That wasn’t her true running and given that she’s a full sister to Cracksman, there can be hope she will leave that run behind.
Music Piece did well to finish as close as she did at Sandown last time after trying to make ground off a snail’s pace. The best is yet to come from her.
Perfect Your Craft won her sole start last season and could be anything for a powerful yard.
CURRAGH
3.40
FIELD OF GOLD can make amends for his unlucky second in the 2,000 Guineas earlier in the month.
The flashy grey was given too much to do by Kieran Shoemark at Newmarket as he finished with plenty of running left.
He would likely have won but for rider error and owners Juddmonte have rightly decided to put their faith in the ultra-reliable Colin Keane.
Cosmic Year gives Juddmonte a strong hand in this contest.
He really could be anything but this Classic could just come too soon in his career.
Officer looks to be the Aidan O’Brien No1 but he has plenty to prove at the highest level.
Of the rest, speedy Hotazhell was a Group 1 winner last season and must be respected.
Expanded has been rejected by Ryan Moore but it would surprise no one if bounced back to form here.
HAYDOCK
1.15
DASHING DARCY posted some great efforts in tough mile handicaps last season for Roger Varian.
Everything went wrong for him on stable debut at Doncaster, missing the break before being hampered at a crucial stage.
He should take a big step forward from that.
Great Chieftain got back to winning ways with a dominant performance at Newmarket two weeks ago.
He’s up 6lb but remains unexposed overall and gets the services of William Buick.
No Retreat is yet to finish outside the top three in all of his starts.
He has been improving at Meydan of late and there should be plenty more to come, especially as he will get a quick pace to aim at.
Candonomore is on the hat-trick bid after a pair of easy Class 5 wins this campaign.
This is much tougher, but he only ever does enough.
1.50
TEROOMM has looked the part in a pair of easy victories this year, following on from a promising all-weather debut.
He showed a really good attitude to battle back and win at Thirsk last time and an opening mark of 90 looks very fair on his novice evidence.
He should have plenty of improvement under the hood and could be a Group horse lurking in a handicap.
King Casper made the perfect start in handicaps when cruising clear by three lengths at Newmarket last month.
A 9lb rise is fair and he’s another who could have any amount of progress in the locker.
Afentiko won his sole handicap start at Kempton last September before a good second in a French Listed race one month later.
He found Group 3 company taxing on return but should bounce back at this lower level.
Dixieland Blues has been a game sort in three starts so far, getting off the mark at Southwell last month.
He makes his turf/handicap debut off a fair mark and should step forward.
2.25
RUNNING LION is 7lb clear on ratings and sets a really daunting standard now she’s dropped significantly in grade.
She was a Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last year and went on to finish second in the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera in a career-best effort.
That form is light years ahead of anything her rivals have achieved and she’s sure to step forward from her seasonal reappearance at Newmarket this month.
Diamond Rain looked top drawer when blasting away to win a Listed race at Newbury on her second start.
She disappointed twice subsequently but retains potential.
Tasmania has endured a stop-start career but Sir Mark Prescott has a fine track record with mares.
She stays well and should hit the frame at the very least.
3.00
BIG MOJO was a classy juvenile last year, finishing second in the Flying Childers at Doncaster before a fantastic fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
He has big shoes to fill, being named close to Big Evs, but he posted a career-best when motoring home in an Ascot Group 3 on reappearance.
He looks to have matured over the winter and could progress into a Group 1 star for Mick Appleby.
Symbol Of Honour was impressive when quickening up well in a Newbury Listed race last week. He’s a big contender on form.
Arizona Blaze has been impressive in two sprint starts this season, latterly at Chantilly in a Group 3.
He possesses a high cruising speed and could be dangerous if getting a solo up front.
Powerful Glory is unbeaten in two starts including winning the Mill Reef at Newbury.
He might need the run, but could be the best of these by the end of the year.
3.30
AMERICAN AFFAIR has done nothing but improve for Jim Goldie, arriving on the back of two easy wins in handicap company.
He’s a strong travelling sort who will be suited to this test and given the manner of his progress, the step up in grade shouldn’t be enough to stunt him.
Rumstar posted a big figure when defeating a reopposing She’s Quality in a Newmarket Group 3 on return.
He’s also closely matched with the selection on a handicap meeting last year at Doncaster and he meets him on 9lb better terms, giving him an obvious chance.
Mgheera made the perfect start for Ed Walker when quickening up smartly to win a French Group 3 two weeks ago.
She may have further improvement after the yard switch.
Starlust was a remarkable winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint but might be better for the run with Royal Ascot his main aim.
Templegate’s tips
HAYDOCK
1.15 Dashing Darcy
1.50 Teroomm (nb)
2.25 Running Lion
3.00 Big Mojo (treble)
3.30 American Affair (nap)
4.10 Persian Spirit
4.40 Caballo De Mar
GOODWOOD
1.30 So Darn Hot
2.05 Sir Dinadan
2.35 Coming Attraction
3.15 Victoria Harbour
3.45 Miller Spirit
4.20 Alibey
4.55 Carrados
BEVERLEY
1.35 Gravitas
2.10 Artista
2.45 Naval Light
3.20 Freddy Robinson
3.55 Signcastle City
4.25 Dandys Angel
5.00 Triple Force
CATTERICK
1.40 Champion Again Ole
2.15 Hype Merchant
2.50 Captain Potter
3.35 Zubaru
4.05 Without Flaw
4.35 Synergism
5.13 Ancient Times
SALISBURY
4.45 Filly Foden
5.20 Sky Safari
5.50 Stanhope Gardens
6.20 Realign
6.50 Annaf
7.20 Hunky Dory
7.50 Babylon
8.20 Robusto
CARTMEL
4.00 Lahinch Wave
4.30 Getaway Vic
5.05 Musique De Fee
5.38 Fairlawn Flyer
6.08 Coqolino
6.38 Muroor
7.08 Beat The Edge
WINDSOR
5.30 Miss Calvados
6.00 Superstorm
6.30 Little Saver
7.00 Kinswoman
7.35 Strike
8.05 Queen Sansa
8.35 Daisy Roots
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