TEMPLEGATE takes on day two of Royal Ascot confident of winners.
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WILD TIGER (5.05 Ascot, nap)
He took his form to a new level when striking at Goodwood last time with loads left in the tank. He cruised along and Oisin Murphy didn’t have to get serious in landing a near three-length win. That was over seven furlongs but he’ll improve for this trip and looks well ahead of the handicapper. His pace means he should be able to get in a good position and stay there.
ILLINOIS (3.05 Royal Ascot, nb)
He was last seen chasing home Ambiente Friendly in the Lingfield Derby Trial when he didn’t handle that tricky track. He stayed on well there to give the impression that this sort of stamina test would be ideal and there’s more to come for Aidan O’Brien who has won this seven times.
TRULY ENCHANTING (2.30 Royal Ascot, treble)
She looked an exciting prospect when bounding home to win by almost four lengths on debut at Tipperary last month under Ryan Moore. She cruised along before showing a sharp turn of foot despite the testing conditions. She is bred to handle this quicker ground and, given how Aidan O’Brien runners usually need their first run, she could be very smart.
Templegate’s Ascot verdicts
2.30
TRULY ENCHANTING (treble) looked an exciting prospect when bounding home to win by almost four lengths on debut at Tipperary last month under Ryan Moore.
She cruised along before showing a sharp turn of foot despite the testing conditions.
She is bred to handle this quicker ground and, given how Aidan O’Brien runners usually need their first run, she could be very smart.
Make Haste created a good impression when winning first time out at Naas 39 days ago.
She clocked a smart time and, being a daughter of the great Blue Point, has plenty of pace.
American trainer Wesley Ward has won this four times and the quicker ground should be ideal for his Ultima Grace.
She won on sand at Keeneland last time and will blast off the from the front under top pilot Joel Rosario.
She may take some pegging back but the final half-furlong will feel like a long way.
Leovanni got off to a decent start at Nottingham when winning nicely and she can take a significant step forward for Karl Burke who has another each-way chance with Miss Lamai who went close in a York Listed contest latest.
Betty Clover won that race in a decent time and looks a strong stayer for this trip.
She will come late and could easily nick a place at a big price.
Miss Rascal went from the front when getting off the mark here last time. That track form won’t do her any harm as she takes on much stronger rivals here.
Enchanting Empress landed a hat-trick of wins when taking a Listed contest at Sandown. She’s another with a shout.
3.05
ILLINOIS (nb) was last seen chasing home Ambiente Friendly in the Lingfield Derby Trial when he didn’t handle that tricky track.
He stayed on well there to give the impression that this sort of stamina test would be ideal and there’s more to come for Aidan O’Brien who has won this seven times.
The yard have another big chance with Highbury who was an easy maiden winner at Leopardstown last month. He has a lot more to offer under Wayne Lordan.
Birdman showed his staying power when going in over 1m5f at Navan last time.
He had plenty in hand crossing the line and rates a danger for Jessica Harrington.
O’Brien also runs Grosvenor Square who was far from disgraced when third in the Chester Vase last time.
He has been deserted by Ryan Moore but could improve for this stiffer test of stamina.
Meydaan looks the pick of the home team after he showed a decent turn of foot to win at Goodwood 25 days ago.
That was over 1m3f but he wasn’t stopping at the line. This is tougher but he should be capable of a lot better.
The Equator is yet another O’Brien runner but he needs a show a lot more than his Group 3 defeat at The Curragh latest.
3.45
LAUREL hasn’t been seen for more than a year but, if anyone can get her fit and ready, John Gosden can.
Ryan Moore was on board when she was an easy Listed winner at Kempton two starts ago and she was good enough to finish second in the Group 1 Sun Chariot as a juvenile.
This is just her fifth run so she could even improve with this trip seemingly her best.
Rogue Millennium looks a big threat after a promising comeback third in a Curragh Group 2 last time.
She had to sit and suffer until the gap came too late. She comes from behind so will need a little luck again.
Ocean Jewel won that race coming back from nine months off yet is around double the price which is a little puzzling.
She would ideally like some juice in the ground but looks solid enough each-way.
Breege handled the step up to Group 3 level when taking the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on Derby day.
She kept going there but will have to show more against this stronger opposition.
Running Lion hated every second of the Dahlia Stakes at Epsom and will be happier back on this conventional track.
She could be a little overpriced to make the frame under Oisin Murphy.
Gregorina got up on the line for a Curragh Group 3 but will need more for this.
4.25
WITH questions about the market leaders, ALFLAILA could be the one to strike at a big price.
Jim Crowley’s mount is best when fresh so his 284-day absence is not a worry.
He has done well since stepping up in distance and enjoyed this trip when winning the Group 2 York Stakes last season.
We haven’t seen him since a fair fifth in the Irish Champion Stakes but he’ll relish conditions and Owen Burrows is an excellent target trainer.
Auguste Rodin is simply not one to trust at such a short price.
He ran an absolute stinker on his sole visit to Ascot when tailed off in the King George VI here last season only to bounce back to take a pair of Group Ones, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
He then flopped again in Meydan before looking more himself when second in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh.
A repeat of that would probably do but you can’t be sure of getting that.
Inspiral was disappointing when fourth in the Lockinge with John Gosden saying she would need the run.
She should see out this longer trip but her very best efforts have been over a mile and the pressure’s on Kieran Shoemark to deliver a big win as No1 rider for the Gosdens.
Horizon Dore would like it softer and there was some cut when he went close in hot company at Longchamp last time.
Blue Rose Cen was a couple of lengths behind there but she has Christophe Soumillon for the first time and that could close the gap.
Lord North won this four years ago but time seems to have caught up with him and surely a place is the best he can hope for.
5.05
WILD TIGER took his form to a new level when striking at Goodwood last time with loads left in the tank.
He cruised along and Oisin Murphy didn’t have to get serious in landing a near three-length win.
That was over seven furlongs but he’ll improve for this trip and looks well ahead of the handicapper.
His pace means he should be able to get in a good position and stay there.
Perotto didn’t fire in this race last season but was a good winner over course and distance when last seen in August.
Roger Varian has long been aiming him at this and he has solid place claims.
Metal Merchant hit the target on his last run over this trip and track in October. He has been in fine form at Newbury with a big-field win on comeback and he looks dangerous.
Beshtani had solid form in France before Wathnan Racing got their massive chequebook out.
He was beaten on the nod at Epsom last time and has every chance from the same handicap mark.
Sonny Liston has a hefty weight but he got the job done well at Newbury on return and was a solid sixth in the Balmoral Handicap over course and distance in October.
Aerion Power could be overpriced for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.
He didn’t have a lot to beat at Nottingham last time but didn’t have to hit top gear and is back under a 5lb penalty.
Talis Evolvere is consistent and has a place shout.
5.40
SUMMER OF LOVE looked a hot prospect when scooting in at Kempton last time out.
The handicapper has taken a big chance with her opening mark of just 88 and stepping up from seven furlongs should bring improvement.
She has raced only on the all-weather so far but will take a lot of stopping if taking to turf.
Twirling won with something up his sleeve at Doncaster last month. She sees out this trip strongly and a 5lb rise in the weights looks more than fair.
Ryan Moore taking over is worth most of that. Elim came back from a long break with a solid effort at Redcar.
The winner of that race went on to take a hot contest at York and she can benefit from a Jamie Spencer special coming with a late run.
She’ll need some luck but should be a danger. Doha showed promise on her handicap debut at Haydock when coming out second in a ding-dong battle.
Dropping back in trip looks a wise move and there’s improvement to come.
Mystic Pearl clocked a personal best when a close third over course and distance last month.
She can pull hard but Tom Marquand settled her nicely and will hope to repeat the feat today.
Azahara Palace did well to come from a mile back when winning at Leicester three weeks ago and has place claims.
6.15
TREASURE ISLE enjoyed the quick ground when getting off the mark under Ryan Moore at Naas last month.
He showed decent pace and didn’t have to hit top gear. That built well on his soft-ground second on debut at The Curragh and he’ll take another step up today.
Ballydoyle have another big chance with Celtic Chieftain who hit the target despite being very green on debut at Navan just 11 days ago. He’ll come on for that experience.
Shadow Army got the better of the useful Francisco’s Piece on debut at York over this trip when battling right to the line.
That staying power will be an asset and he can find more under James Doyle.
Oisin Murphy rides American hopeful Cheval De Guerre who was just nabbed on the line making his debut at Keeneland in April.
The quicker the ground the better for his chances.
Pont Neuf scored on the all-weather before hitting the target on turf debut at Salisbury last month.
That was on soft ground but he’ll be a place threat if handling these conditions.
It has been a decade since Wesley Ward won this but he has a chance with Honorary American who was up with the pace until the closing stages at Aqueduct on debut.
He’ll go from the front but is likely to be paddling in the closing stages.
Similar comments apply to Gabaldon but he was able to last home when scoring on debut at Gulfstream last time out.
Templegate’s tips
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