TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive day of racing at York hellbent on smashing the sorry bookies to bits.
You’ll find all his tips for day one of the Ebor Festival below.
- Bet £10 get £50 in free bets for racing with Tote – CLAIM HERE
- York Ebor Festival best free bet offers – CLICK HERE
SANTORINI STAR (4.10 York, nap)
Can shine for William Haggas. This Golden Horn filly has been brought along nicely this term, winning at Brighton and Goodwood before running with credit in a Group 3 over 1m6f. She finished off strongly there, suggesting this step up to 2m will unlock further improvement. Proven on quick ground, she’s tactically versatile, and with her yard in flying form, she can progress again.
ITALY (2.25 York, nb)
Aidan O’Brien’s colt oozed class when unlucky not to land the Group 2 Superlative at Newmarket last time, staying on strongly after being squeezed up when it mattered. That was only his second start and he’s bred to thrive over 7f on fast ground. With a smoother run, he’s the one to beat.
CARMERS (3.00 York, treble)
Can put himself in the St Leger picture by upsetting the dual Derby winner. Paddy Twomey’s unbeaten colt has done nothing but improve, and his gritty success in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot marks him out as a serious contender. That was over 1m6f and, while he drops in trip today, York’s long straight suits strong stayers.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
YORK
1.50
FOLLOW THE MAN in the opener after he routed 21 rivals over course and distance in May.
He looked a different beast after a wind op and being gelded – travelling strongly and putting the race to bed with authority.
Back from another break and drawn nicely in stall 4, he has the look of a well-treated improver.
Trefor has hit new heights this summer and ran a cracker at Windsor last time.
He’s consistent, handles the ground, and looks sure to give backers a run for their money at a price.
Vintage Clarets relished the drop to 5f at Ascot and has strong course form to his name, while Jordan Electrics, runner-up in this race last year, is building back towards peak form.
Spring Is Sprung has racked up a hat-trick and is thriving.
2.25
ITALY can rule the roost in the Acomb Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt oozed class when unlucky not to land the Group 2 Superlative at Newmarket last time, staying on strongly after being squeezed up when it mattered.
That was only his second start and he’s bred to thrive over 7f on fast ground.
With a smoother run, he’s the one to beat.
Main rival Distant Storm looked the part when getting up late at Newmarket on debut and the form is working out superbly but he had to dig deep to win, and this will ask more.
Goodwood Galaxy posted a solid fourth in the Vintage Stakes and should be in the mix again, while Gewan impressed at Newbury and looks a strong type for Andrew Balding.
John Gosden’s May Angel bounced back on the all-weather but still has turf questions to answer at this level.
3.00
CARMERS can put himself in the St Leger picture by upsetting the dual Derby winner.
Paddy Twomey’s unbeaten colt has done nothing but improve, and his gritty success in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot marks him out as a serious contender.
That was over 1m6f and, while he drops in trip today, York’s long straight suits strong stayers.
He showed heart and gears at Ascot, kicking early and fending them all off.
Blinkers stay on and he’ll be tough to pass.
Dual Derby hero Lambourn is clearly the one to beat on form, but he’s had two hard races and had to dig really deep at The Curragh.
Stay True looked a real stayer when just denied in the Lingfield Derby trial and is open to any amount of improvement after only two runs.
Pride Of Arras won the Dante here before hating Epsom and should do better.
3.35
OMBUDSMAN can reverse Eclipse form with Delacroix.
The Gosden colt was coming back just 17 days after winning the Prince Of Wales’s at Royal Ascot and was sent for home a good way out at Sandown and was there to be shot at.
A stronger gallop on York’s galloping track will play more to his strengths.
Delacroix is the obvious danger again. He came home impressively in the Eclipse to erase all memory of his Derby flop.
This is his trip and it should be a good battle.
Japan’s Danon Decile brings global Group 1 form, including a win in the Sheema Classic, but I worry about his rider seeing this track for the first time.
See The Fire was ultra-impressive here in May and has run with credit in deeper waters, while French hope Daryz was an impressive Group 2 winner latest.
4.10
SANTORINI STAR can shine for William Haggas.
This Golden Horn filly has been brought along nicely this term, winning at Brighton and Goodwood before running with credit in a Group 3 over 1m6f.
She finished off strongly there, suggesting this step up to 2m will unlock further improvement.
Proven on quick ground, she’s tactically versatile, and with her yard in flying form, she can progress again.
Chief danger may be Dancing In Paris, who brings top-class staying handicap form into this, including a near-miss in the Northumberland Plate and a strong second at Goodwood.
He stays well and handles quick conditions.
Fireblade is another serious threat. He’s on the upgrade and beat several of these last time with a well-judged front-running ride.
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. gambleaware.org.
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 – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
