Horse racing tips: Ascot, Haydock and Newmarket – Templegate’s betting preview for TODAY’S ITV racing
Ascot, Redcar, Haydock, Chelmsford, Newmarket, Lingfield and Ayr come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
ASCOT 1.05
GET ready for an Encore.
Andrasch Starke won the King George on Danedream at this track six years ago and I fancy him to make a winning return to the Shergar Cup.
He rides Encore D’Or for Robert Cowell. My tip is at his best on the all-weather and he predictably seems to like this turf course.
He was behind stablemate Evergate over today’s track and trip but it was a fine effort as he raced away from the first two home.
Consistent El Astronaute ran another good race when runner-up at Goodwood last week. His best form has come on sharper tracks than Ascot.
Templegate's TV tips
ASCOT1.05 ENCORE D'OR
1.40 HASSLE
2.15 HUMBLE HERO
2.50 VIA SERENDIPITY
3.25 SERGIO LEONE
4.00 ROUNDHAY PARK
HAYDOCK
1.55 PLAY IT COOL
2.30 AGROTERA
3.05 ZAAKI
NEWMARKET
3.45 MAIN EDITION
ASCOT 1.40
THE stayers’ race should be no HASSLE for Japanese ace Yutaka Take.
He’s a useful hurdler and he didn’t run at all badly when only fading into eighth in the closing stages of the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting.
That was his first run on the Flat for two years and some of his best form from a few years ago gives him a fine chance. He’s also got a decent record at today’s course.
Cleonte hasn’t won since joining Andrew Balding from France. He’s been edging down the weights but probably still needs a bit of help from the handicapper.
Jukebox Jive is going the other way in the handicap. He was shoved up another 4lbs for finishing a third against higher-rated rivals in a Sandown Listed contest last month. That was a good effort but he might be flattered as he got an easy lead. He’s unlikely to get that again today.
Ian Williams’ Byron Flyer would be in with a shout on his neck second in this race 12 months ago and stablemate Stars Over The Sea would have a chance if the hood her wears for the first time has the desired effect. He is nicely treated on his best efforts but he was tailed off on his stable debut in the valuable JLT Cup at Newbury and clearly needs to bounce back.
Aussie jockey Corey Brown knows what he’s doing in staying races having won two Melbourne Cup but his mount Manjaam has stamina to prove over this 2m trip.
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HAYDOCK 1.55
IT’S time to PLAY IT COOL.
He looked to be really well weighted on his first start for Les Eyre. That means he hasn’t run since runner-up behind useful Clear Skies at Dundalk when trained in Ireland in December.
That doesn’t bother me as his trainer has been among the winners this summer and he certainly knows how to get one ready.
I’ve a feeling he’ll be wanting to win a nice pot with this horse and Poppy Bridgwater is a talented rider.
Rashdan has won on the all-weather at Southwell and Newcastle but his turf efforts have been nowhere near as good. Those came on easy ground and it might be he’s at his best on fast going but last month’s win would not be particularly strong form.
Super Kid is another who seems better on sand. He caused a shock at Wolverhampton last month but I doubt he can follow that up returned to turf.
Mister Belvedere is a bigger threat. He won at York in June and return to that track to run well in a smaller field last month. His trainer Michael Dods has his team in great shape.
Birds Of Prey’s wins in Ireland came on testing ground but he once chased home subsequent Derby hero Wings Of Eagles on faster.
He’s not been disgraced in two starts since joining Paul Nicholls and certainly deserves respect.
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ASCOT 2.15
I’M sure Aussie ace Corey Brown will stay Humble.
The dual Melbourne Cup winner teams up with HUMBLE HERO in this 1m4f event and that could be the key.
He moved nicely when fourth behind Northwest Frontier over 2m at York last time and he’ll be much better off over today’s shorter trip.
His third behind Majeed in June gives him a bit of ground to make up. I’m not getting wound up about that form and the blinkers he wears instead of cheekpieces could easily make a difference.
Majeed was only beaten a neck in a Royal Ascot handicap last year and he bounced back to form when successful at Windsor in June. I’m not confident he will back that run up.
Machine Learner came from off the pace to win over 1m6f at this track last month. He seems to need a stiffer test of stamina these days.
Koeman won over today’s course and distance at the King Gorge meeting two weeks ago. The form of that race is most suspect as the pace was way too strong. Koeman did show a decent attitude in the closing stages but the race did fall in his lap a bit.
This trip tends to stretch Twin Star but Maori Bob will have no problem with it. He’s been running over 1m2f recently but he’s got a plenty of form over 1m4f.
His attitude is spot on and he should run well despite having climbed the weights.
HAYDOCK 2.30
I’M up for some Agro today.
Don’t worry I’m a lover not a fighter so I won’t getting into any bother anywhere. Hopefully AGROTERA won’t be, either.
She was most impressive when running away with the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot and she looks well up to this Listed level.
Three-year-olds have won this race in each of the last six years and I reckon Agrotera will be another successful for the Classic generation.
Narella is an interesting runner. She won a Group 3 when trained in Germany last season and looked in need of the run on her debut for Roger Varian at Sandown last month. I’m sure she’ll be sharper for that effort.
Shepherd Market went close on her return to action at today’s track in May. That form hasn’t worked out too well and she does not look the most straightforward in a finish.
Unforgettable Filly has spent most of her career in Group races and she’s already a winner at this level. She was a bit unlucky in an Ascot Listed contest and she looks the best of the older fillies.
La Figlia is a filly with potential. She was fourth in her two tries at this level and she overcame a wide draw when successful at Chelmsford last month.
There could well be a race like this in her.
Dynamic was a bit disappointing in a Newmarket handicap last time and needs to step up.
ASCOT 2.50
THE Shergar Cup is usually Serendipity to Hayley Turner.
I fancy her to have an even bigger smile on her face after the Mile as VIA SERENDIPITY looks to have a great chance.
He’s been in great form this season winning at Sandown in June and putting together a string of decent efforts. His close fourth in the big-field International handicap at this course on King George day came over 7f and he’ll be happier returned to a mile.
Bless Him is another with decent track form. He won the Britannia at Royal Ascot last year but was a bit below that level in the Hunt Cup at this season’s meeting.
He ran better than the bare form at York last time but I’m not convinced this will pan out much better on the round course.
Shady McCoy looks dangerous. He went close when runner-up in the Bunbury Cup and he wsn’t beaten far in the International here in July. A wide draw did for him at Goodwood but there’s no doubt he would be happier over 7f.
Mythical Madness was beaten less than two lengths when fifth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood last week but he did have the best of the draw. His previous form makes him a player but no stronger.
Fire Brigade could have done with more rain but Medahim has claims. He flew home to strike over 7f at Goodwood last week and he has plenty of form over 1m.
HAYDOCK 3.05
ZAAKI should bloom in the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes.
He’s run some sound races since switching to Sir Michel Stoute this season.
His Thirsk comeback win was nothing special but he went on to finish third behind Hunting Horn in a Royal Ascot Group 3.
He came up narrowly short returned to a handicap last time when nutted by Communique at Newmarket. The winner followed up at Goodwood and my fancy is 12lbs better off today.
Elwazir is the big danger. He’s been progressing nicely with wins at Sandown and Ascot. The form of his comeback victory in June stacks up really well as the runner-up Cross Counter won the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
He did well to overcome some trouble to see off previously unbeaten Extra Elusive at Ascot last time in the style of a Group horse. We’ll find out today if he’s up to this level but the signs are good.
Fajjaj was miles behind my fancy in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and his Ayr win in a three-runner race doesn’t add up to much.
His Listed third behind Emotionless at Newbury last time was a step in the right direction but he needs another personal best to take a hand in the finish today.
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ASCOT 3.25
SERGIO LEONE should gun down his rivals in the Shergar Cup Classic shootout.
He won over a mile at Newbury last month but always looked likely to continue improving when upped in distance. After getting within a neck of winning over 1m2f he ran another fine race when upped to 1m4f at Goodwood last week.
Despite not getting a clear run from a wide draw he came home well to chase home Desert Path in a decent looking handicap. There’s much more to come from Richard Hannon’s hope and Aussie jockey Corey Brown is a top rider.
Bayshore Freeway mopped up three races in small fields earlier in the season. She ran a cracker when third in decent all-weather contest over 1m6f at Chelmsford last week but the return to today’s shorter trip is not a help.
Gossip Column made it four wins from six races since joining Ian Williams when making all the running from the best stall at Chester last week. He doesn’t have to lead and he has to be feared while in such great shape.
Bajan Gold is another in decent form. He won twice over 1m2f in June and handled the step up to today’s trip fine when a neck runner-up behind Koeman over today’s track and trip. That race was a run at a furious pace and his hold up style definitely helped but he has to be respected.
Newmarket
NEWMARKET 3.45
FOLLOW the Main attraction in the Sweet Solera Stakes.
MAIN EDITION has to shoulder a penalty for her neck defeat of La Pelosa in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. That makes life a little tricky and strictly on that form Godolphin’s filly should come out on top.
But Main Edition is already proven on easy ground having struck on soft at Goodwood in June.
She was running a similar race to La Pelosa in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July Meeting when the pair of them were wiped out by Frankie Dettori on Angel’s Hideaway. That run is irrelevant.
Ajrar finished just in front of La Pelosa when they filled the places in a Sandown Listed contest last time. They’re obviously closely matched and the one that handles the easier ground best is likely to decide in which order they finish.
California Love is interesting after bolting up over today’s track and trip last month. His pedigree suggests conditions won’t be a problem.
ASCOT 4.00
STUDYING the Sprint contest Leeds me to ROUNDHAY PARK.
All four of his wins have come over 5f but I’ve no worries about him being just as good – if not better – over today’s extra furlong.
He’s twice won at Ripon this season for in-form trainer Nigel Tinkler but his best run was probably his third behind Foxtrot Lady in a hot Newmarket handicap at the July Meeting.
He came home nicely up the stiff climb and he should have a great chance if Hayley Turner gets the timing right on her favourite day of the year.
Shaheen has been in great form. He stormed home to get up close home at Windsor on Monday night to make it three wins from his last five starts. There’s no reason why he won’t go well again.
George Of Hearts has been coming up short over longer trips. I’m not convinced he will be suited by the return to sprinting.
Snazzy Jazzy looked a top prospect when winning all three of his races last season. The wheels have come off in spectacular style this season and he can only be watched after two dismal displays.
Helvetian returned to somewhere near his form when dropped to 5f at Goodwood last week. The return to 6f won’t be a problem but he does have stacks of ground to make up on Roundhay Park on their meeting at Newmarket last month.
ASCOT
1.05 Encore D’Or
1.40 Hassle
2.15 Humble Hero
2.50 Via Serendipity (treble)
3.25 Sergio Leone
4.00 Roundhay Park
AYR
5.35 Markhan
6.05 Dream Of Honour
6.35 Cheeni
7.05 Golden Steps
7.35 Six Silver Lane
8.05 Reinforced
8.35 Kuiper Belt
CHELMSFORD
1.30 Toffee Galore
2.05 Dance Me
2.40 Mazzini
3.15 Dubai One
3.50 Ifubelieveindreams
4.25 Recordman
5.00 Spring Praise
HAYDOCK
1.20 Addis Ababa
1.55 Play It Cool
2.30 Agrotera
3.05 Zaaki (nap)
3.40 Mountain Angel
4.15 Fille De Reve
4.50 Twentysvnthlancers
LINGFIELD
5.10 Matchmaking
5.45 Spirit Of Appin
6.15 Fearless Warrior
6.45 Slipstream
7.15 Obaby
7.45 Vegas Boy
8.15 Aaliya
NEWMARKET
2.00 Material Girl
2.35 Greenback Boogie
3.10 Danceteria
3.45 Main Edition
4.20 Spanish City (nb)
4.55 Protected Guest
5.30 Stanley
REDCAR
1.10 Bandola
1.45 Forward Thinker
2.20 Faadhel
2.55 Normandy Barriere
3.30 Firmdecisions
4.05 Hajjam
4.35 Calliope
5.05 Ilikeyoualot