TEMPLEGATE returns with a look at Thursday’s racing and picks out his best bets across the cards.
Back a horse by clicking their odds below and don’t forget to check out our best free bet offers.
NIGHT IN VEGAS (1.50 Doncaster, nap)
Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt won at Ascot and Goodwood before an excellent fifth in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and third in Group 2 company at Goodwood. He then took another big step forward at Newmarket, beating 17 rivals in a red-hot sales race and seeing off Zigazig Ah by a comfortable length and a half. That latest effort sets a high standard and this slightly longer trip should be no problem.
AL WATHBA (4.10 Doncaster, nb)
Charlie Appleby’s youngster holds some fancy entries and got off the mark nicely at Kempton last time with a fair bit left in his locker. He relished the step up to a mile after a couple of placed efforts over shorter and he looks capable of a lot better now switched to handicaps.
BALLYSKEAGH (3.35 Doncaster, treble)
The Gleneagles filly has improved with every run, following a promising Roscommon debut with victory at Leopardstown before producing an even better effort in Group 3 company at the Curragh. She was beaten just three-quarters of a length after meeting trouble over two furlongs out before powering home. That was her first crack at Pattern company and another step forward would put her right in the thick of this.
Templegate’s TV verdicts
1.15
Most read in Horse Racing
STRIKE ONE
Ex-Royal Ascot fav leaves William Haggas as owners place faith in new trainer
SAD LOSS
Racing legend and dad of ten whose daughter won Melbourne Cup dies aged 90
Lou-dicrous
BBC host Emma Louise Jones puts on busty display as she stuns on Paris trip
STORM BREWING
Shortest-priced loser in racing history beaten by horse owned by Phil Foden
WONDERVISION can continue her upward curve and strike for Jack Channon after an eye-catching nursery debut success at Wolverhampton.
The Minzaal filly had shown ability from the off, finishing third at Ascot and Goodwood in the spring, before returning from a 13-week break with a career-best effort last month.
She was slow away, met trouble in the final furlong yet still finished strongly enough to get the job done. A 3lb rise looks fair and there should be plenty more improvement to come.
Speed Of Sound brings solid form after finishing third in a valuable York sales race on soft, having earlier won at Yarmouth and finished second at Ascot. Conditions should be right up his street.
Kodi Bear Light is another big danger after landing a Newmarket nursery over seven furlongs and Jack Nicholls takes off 3lb.
Downonmainstreet is gunning for a hat-trick off 5lb higher after victories at Chepstow and Ffos Las.
Art Of Life has been knocking on the door in maidens and makes her nursery debut from a fair mark, while Sexy Chick drops back into handicap company after a respectable fifth in the Group 2 Lowther but has a massive weight.
1.50
NIGHT IN VEGAS is the confident call after producing a personal best at Newmarket last month. Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt had already shown he was smart, winning at Ascot and Goodwood before an excellent fifth in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and third in Group 2 company at Goodwood.
He then took another big step forward at Newmarket, beating 17 rivals in a red-hot sales race and seeing off Zigazig Ah by a comfortable length and a half. That latest effort sets a high standard and this slightly longer trip should be no problem.
Zigazig Ah can go well after chasing him home at Newmarket, having won the Super Sprint at Newbury and a Yarmouth maiden.
God Given Talent also demands respect after finishing strongly after traffic problems when fourth in a big York nursery, having won at Newbury on debut.
Satellite Of Love won his first two starts before finding soft tougher at York, while Mithaaly looked useful when cruising home by nearly five lengths at Windsor last time. This is tougher but he’s going the right way.
Seven Nation Army can have a say for Joseph O’Brien after an impressive Galway nursery win and a solid second at Roscommon.
2.25
STONEACRE DONNY can strike again while the iron is hot after producing a career-best performance at York on Sunday. Tim Easterby’s gelding had already been knocking hard on the door this season, finishing second over 1m4f at York in May before a good second at Redcar.
He then bounced back from one poor run with that emphatic York success where he tanked along before winning with lots left in the tank. He’s going up in grade here but looks overpriced and can make the frame at least. A 6lb penalty may not be enough to stop him.
Bourbon Blues is a threat after excellent places in strong handicaps at Goodwood and York. He likes some dig in the ground and Ryan Moore is a good booking.
Besieged is unexposed and looked a smart prospect when destroying a Salisbury maiden field by 14 lengths. He’s had a little break since then and there’s juice in his handicap mark of 93.
Runman returned to winning ways over this trip at Newbury last month. He goes on any ground and a 3lb rise gives him a chance.
Knights Charge has won his last two starts at Lingfield and Nottingham and makes his handicap debut with more improvement possible.
Wild Thoughts also enters calculations after finishing only a length behind Runman at Newbury, having rattled off four straight wins earlier in the campaign.
Sintra has an each-way shout if finding the form of win over this trip at Ascot two runs ago in May after four months off.
3.00
CONSENT can go one better than her second in this race last season. Sir Mark Prescott’s filly went down by just a neck in this Group 2 12 months ago before taking her form to another level at Longchamp, powering home by four and a half lengths to land a Group 1 over a similar trip.
This season started badly when she finished last on her Longchamp return but there was much more encouragement in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood last month. The return to good to soft ground should suit while first-time cheekpieces could also sharpen her up.
Waardah is a major danger after going down by a head in the Lillie Langtry, having also finished second in Group 3 company at Carlisle on comeback.
Fairy Glen brings serious staying form after winning two Group 2 races at Meydan before finishing less than half a length away in a Longchamp Group 1.
Danielle is another who ran well enough at Goodwood and she has gone well here before. More rain would help as bottomless ground brings out her very best.
Prizeland was a game Listed winner at York last time on soft ground and could show more for Andrew Balding.
3.35
BALLYSKEAGH can land a big Group 2 success for Joseph O’Brien. The Gleneagles filly has improved with every run, following a promising Roscommon debut with victory at Leopardstown before producing an even better effort in Group 3 company at the Curragh.
She was beaten just three-quarters of a length after meeting trouble over two furlongs out before powering home. That was her first crack at Pattern company and another step forward would put her right in the thick of this.
Musical Times is the big danger after winning both starts for Charlie Appleby. She edged out Scommessa Sicura at Newmarket before scoring comfortably at Yarmouth and now tackles a mile for the first time.
Sea Of Rain has to be respected after beating Ballyskeagh at the Curragh, while Eabha ran a cracker when second in a Group 3 at Goodwood and won’t be far away.
4.10
AL WATHBA can make his class tell and follow up last month’s Kempton success for Charlie Appleby. The €900,000 Wootton Bassett colt had shaped with plenty of promise before that breakthrough, finishing second on debut at Newmarket and again at Leicester where he went down by just three-quarters of a length.
He stepped up to a mile at Kempton and made no mistake, dictating before quickening clear for a cosy win. That was only his third start and there should be more to come from a fair handicap mark.
William Buick is back aboard and the Appleby yard remains in good nick. Al Wathba can take another step forward here.
Waasil is a threat for Karl Burke after rattling off wins at Beverley and Newbury. He was impressive on his nursery debut last time, winning decisively, and this extra furlong should hold no fears. A 6lb rise in the weights doesn’t look too harsh either.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Zarakova arrives on the upgrade after a game win over a mile at Newmarket, while Metamouse was only just behind Waasil at Newbury and has since been gelded. Keep Grating battled well to score at Yarmouth after earlier missing out by a head here.
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.