TEMPLEGATE returns with a look at Friday’s racing and picks out his best bets across the cards.
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QUEENSTOWN (3.00 Doncaster, nap)
Can give Aidan O’Brien his first Doncaster Cup in almost two decades. The six-year-old returned from 300 days off with an emphatic performance at The Curragh last month, making much of the running before powering four and a half lengths clear at Group 3 level. That confirmed he remains a high-class stayer after ending last season with two excellent efforts in Group 1 company in France.
PRIDE OF TOLEDO (4.45 Doncaster, nb)
Was a good fourth in a hot contest at York last month and should find this a bit easier. He makes his handicap debut from a fair mark of 85 and handles some give in the ground.
NABATI (1.15 Doncaster, treble)
Can go like a train in the Flying Scotsman. Charlie Appleby’s youngster has already shown smart form in three starts An easy Yarmouth debut winner, he then went down by only a neck to smart Arapaho Gold in Listed company at Newbury before getting back on top at Newmarket. That latest success over 6f was gritty rather than spectacular but Nabati stayed on strongly after pulling early and there’s more to come.
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1.15
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NABATI can go like a train in the Flying Scotsman. Charlie Appleby’s youngster has already shown smart form in three starts An easy Yarmouth debut winner, he then went down by only a neck to smart Arapaho Gold in Listed company at Newbury before getting back on top at Newmarket.
That latest success over 6f was gritty rather than spectacular but Nabati stayed on strongly after pulling early and there’s more to come. This first crack at 7f should be fine on breeding and slower conditions aren’t a major worry. He can make his relative experience tell.
Fellow Godolphin runner Rock Montreal is a major danger after picking up impressively to score by three lengths over 7f on debut at Yarmouth.
He takes a sizeable jump in grade but could be smart and has a Group 1 entry later this season so connections clearly rate him.
Forbidden Fire also demands respect after hammering her rivals on debut at Salisbury last time out. Going up in trip looks a wise move by Andrew Balding as there’s plenty of stamina on the dam’s side.
Varzi is another to note after winning comfortably at Pontefract and has already handled good to soft, while Dandyman Dan has proven 7f Listed form but needs to raise his game in this company.
1.50
CARAGIO looks a fair each-way price in this wide-open Leger Legends contest. Trainer Adam Kirby is not long retired from the saddle and is doing the steering himself today.
The tip had been off for three months before finishing well over seven furlongs here last time. His standout effort this year came at Yarmouth, where he powered clear by more than three lengths over 6f but there’s every chance he’ll get the mile.
Nyman is an obvious danger after overcoming trouble to win on good to soft at Thirsk six days ago and is proven over a mile.
Sammy Jo Bell is one of the younger pilots and has won this twice before. She has solid claims on Anthropologist who has been running well on the all-weather and stays strongly.
Joe Fanning has just hung up his saddle and has a big shout on Wield. He was less than a length away over this trip at Southwell last time and should be on the premises.
Celtic Chariot didn’t fire here last time after winning over a mile at Yarmouth and here in July. They were on fast ground but he’d have a chance if handling these slower conditions.
Berry Clever is consistent and likes this trip so could hit the frame.
2.25
FINAL OBJECTIVE can get the job done in the Flying Childers Stakes. Hamad Al Jehani’s flyer has yet to run a bad race and was again right on the premises when second in the Gimcrack at York last time out.
He enjoyed the bit of give in the ground there and showed a good burst of pace. Dropping back to the minumum holds no fears and he can score under James Doyle.
Pershaada looks a threat on her Goodwood Molecomb win provided it doesn’t get softer, while Flann Sunna is another in the hunt.
3.00
QUEENSTOWN can give Aidan O’Brien his first Doncaster Cup in almost two decades. The six-year-old returned from 300 days off with an emphatic performance at The Curragh last month, making much of the running before powering four and a half lengths clear at Group 3 level.
That confirmed he remains a high-class stayer after ending last season with two excellent efforts in Group 1 company in France. He was third over 2m4f in the Prix du Cadran before finishing runner-up over just short of two miles in the Prix Royal-Oak.
This trip should hold no fears and he is versatile when it comes to tactics too. He can be up with the pace or come with a late rattle under Ryan Moore. Queenstown has produced strong form on good to soft and soft, so conditions are fine.
Caballo De Mar is clearly the danger on his best form. He beat Queenstown in last year’s Cadran and added another Group 1 prize in May but his recent efforts raise doubts.
He went out like a light in the Ascot Gold Cup before finishing only fourth at York last month. The George Scott yard is in better form at the moment.
Beylerbeyi has a good Doncaster record and arrives after a solid fifth in the Ebor, although he’ll have to improve to play a major part.
Ascending finished just ahead of him in the Ebor and is another capable stayer, while Berkshire Sundance comes here following a career-best second at Goodwood.
Winday is the fascinating improver after bolting up at Ffos Las for Emmet Mullins who can conjure vast improvement in horses from race to race. The booking of William Buick takes the eye so watch for a market move.
3.35
SILVER LAKE can continue her relentless progress by completing a four-timer. William Haggas’s three-year-old has been transformed since a tongue-tie was fitted, winning all three handicaps and climbing from a mark of 75 to today’s 92.
She was impressive when scoring by three lengths at Glorious Goodwood before producing an even better effort at York last month. William Haggas’ filly got stuck in traffic before zooming home once in the clear in a red-hot contest.
That victory also proved she handles cut in the ground while this longer 1m4f trip could unlock more according to her pedigree. Hopefully she’ll get a smoother passage here.
Salamanca City is a serious danger after a superbly consistent campaign featuring three wins and two seconds. She is proven over 1m4f and on good to soft and she’ll be right there again despite giving weight away.
Nochebuena also commands respect. A C&D winner, she was short-headed on handicap debut at Ascot and remains open to improvement.
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Ruby Wedding arrives on the back of a clearcut Salisbury success over this distance and continues to progress, while Thatwilldoso is in excellent form after winning two of her last three albeit in lesser company.
Templegate’s tips
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