TEMPLEGATE returns with a look at Saturday’s racing and picks out his best bets across the cards.
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ENCELADUS (3.35 Doncaster, nap)
Billy The Kid and Joseph O’Brien can show the old guard how to win a St Leger. Jockey Loughnane has a 33 per cent strike-rate when riding for O’Brien who is out to upset dad Aidan who saddles main rivals Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard. But the youngsters can have their day with this brilliant colt who looks tailor-made for this 1m6f stamina test. He took a hot handicap at Royal Ascot in good style before stepping into Group 3 company at Goodwood for a game Gordon Stakes win. As a son of Sea The Stars he has the right balance of class and staying power you need and he’ll go on any ground.
FLORA OF BERMUDA (2.55 Doncaster, nb)
Can blossom on this drop in grade. Andrew Balding’s mare has been in cracking form this season, winning three of her five starts, and her latest defeat came when tackling Group 1 company against the males. She finished only tenth in the City of York but that turned into a bit of a slog and this is more her level. She showed her liking for this trip when winning the Group 3 Oak Tree at Goodwood so stamina shouldn’t be an issue. She gets a handy 3lb from the boys and should be right there.
STRESSFREE (2.05 Chester, treble)
Can break his duck for the season in this open contest. David O’Meara’s six-year-old was an excellent sixth in the Ebor two runs back and put in another solid effort when fourth in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time. He sees out this trip strongly, goes well here and handles any ground.
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1.45
DESERT CASTLE can make the jump from maiden company to land the Champagne Stakes for Charlie Appleby. This Frankel colt created a massive impression on his Newmarket debut, tanking along before quickening clear to beat eight rivals easily over this trip.
He was still green and hung left after hitting the front, so there should be plenty more to come after just one run. This is a serious rise into Group 2 company but he looks a hot prospect.
Gentle Hurricane stepped forward from his Salisbury debut success for a cracking second in the Group 3 Acomb at York. He was beaten just two lengths there and shaped like another progressive youngster.
Breacher also brings strong Group-race form, having finished just a length away when third in the Solario at Sandown. Further may suit in time but he’s a player.
Rosberg demands respect after consecutive victories, latterly in Listed company over a mile, while Sergei Diaghilev also arrives after a Listed win at that distance but needs more.
Silver Dominion has shown up well in this grade but looks held today.
2.20
AIR FORCE ONE can fly home in a typically ferocious Portland. Geoff Oldroyd’s five-year-old produced a career-best over York’s a very similar trip last month, rattling home to beat 20 rivals by a decisive length and a quarter.
He was then sent off far too quickly at York and his liking for this in-between trip gives him a big chance. He’s up the weights but will relish this challenge.
Getreadytorumble is a serious danger after an excellent second back in handicap company after running well in Group races and he won at this meeting last year.
Twilight Calls has been transformed by a visor, winning three of his last four, while last year’s winner Eternal Sunshine arrives in peak form again.
Apollo One has finished second in the last two Portlands and has come down the weights, while progressive course winner Station X is another who commands respect.
The booking of Billy Loughnane catches the eye on Trefor, while Rosario was third in this last year and won well at Sandown latest.
2.55
FLORA OF BERMUDA can blossom on this drop in grade. Andrew Balding’s mare has been in cracking form this season, winning three of her five starts, and her latest defeat came when tackling Group 1 company against the males.
She finished only tenth in the City of York but that turned into a bit of a slog and this is more her level. She showed her liking for this trip when winning the Group 3 Oak Tree at Goodwood so stamina shouldn’t be an issue. She gets a handy 3lb from the boys and should be right there.
More Thunder should really be winning this but he’s a pretty short price and his recent efforts haven’t been totally convincing. Dropping in grade and trip should help but he came up short at this level at Ascot earlier this season.
Qirat returned to form when runner-up in the Celebration Mile and has already won a 7f Group 3 this season. He likes to go from the front and may be pestered by Volterra and Witness Stand who also like to force the pace.
It’s been a while since we saw the best of Never So Brave but his peak form would bring him right into the picture. He was a Group 1 winner last season and the drying ground is in his favour. He is capable of hitting the frame.
3.35
ENCELADUS can win the St Leger for Joseph O’Brien. Chasing a four-timer after Royal Ascot and Gordon Stakes wins, he is proven on varied ground, bred to stay this longer trip and has plenty more to come.
I think he will just pip his old man Aidan’s Derby winner Christmas Day. He followed up that Epsom success in the mud with an Irish Derby second before a Great Voltigeur third. Stays and more rain would boost chances.
There are a few who could nick third.
Pierre Bonnard ran well in the Voltigeur at York and is a Group 1 winner who stays.
Hatteen won here before being narrowly denied at Goodwood. Proven on varied ground and shapes like a stayer.
While Joseph’s Highwayman has been transformed since going up in trip, landing Listed honours over 1m6f against a decent field when last seen.
CHESTER
1.30
DUBAI HONOUR should have far too much class for these rivals. William Haggas’s eight-year-old is a four-time Group 1 winner and still showed plenty when beaten just a head in top-level company in Australia in March.
He came back from four months off with a rusty third in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. He is right at home over this trip and goes on any ground so conditions should hold no fears. It will be disappointing if he’s beaten on this drop in class.
Plage De Havre looks the chief danger after producing a career-best effort to win a good handicap over this trip at York on good to soft last month.
Too Soon is another to watch after completing a double with an emphatic soft-ground success at Goodwood, while Grey Cuban finished third in this race last year but is best watched on this first run in 10 months.
2.05
STRESSFREE can break his duck for the season in this open contest. David O’Meara’s six-year-old was an excellent sixth in the Ebor two runs back and put in another solid effort when fourth in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last time.
He sees out this trip strongly, goes well here and handles any ground. He’s down 5lb since the start of the season and that makes him even more competitive.
Holy See is an obvious danger after an unlucky second over an extended two miles at Galway. The handicapper has been fair with a 2lb rise in the weights and he looks a big threat given he should handle the track.
Dancing In Paris arrives after winning over 2m at Ascot’s Shergar Cup. He would ideally like quicker ground to show his best.
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Spirit Mixer can’t be ruled out at Chester. He’s been out of sorts this season but is down the weights and has a claimer taking off another 7lb.
Templegate’s tips
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