Horse racing tips: Templegate’s 13-2 NAP will take some stopping with ‘considerable’ improvement expected

TEMPLEGATE tackles day one of York’s Ebor Festival confident of finding some winners at a price.

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GREAT BEDWYN (4.10 York, nap)

Was strongest at the finish when third over 1m6f at Glorious Goodwood last time. He’s only up a pound for that and considerable improvement is expected for this stiffer test. He’s lightly raced for his age and could take some stopping.

CITY OF TROY (3.35 York, nb)

Was more workmanlike than classy when winning a soft-ground Eclipse at Sandown. It’s hard not to forget his dominant win in the Derby, however, and this faster ground will suit him much better than last time. If he brings his best, he will be tough to beat.

LOS ANGELES (3.00 York, treble)

Was a solid third in the Derby at Epsom back in June. He was still green that day and he gave the impression he had more in his locker, which he proved by winning the Irish Derby last time. A 5lb penalty makes things tougher, but he looks up to the task and with stamina his biggest asset, he can keep finding to record another success.

Templegate’s verdicts

1.50

KYLIAN is a frustrating sort but he turned in one of his better efforts when second in a Shergar Cup Sprint last time despite losing ground at the start.

He was rated 11lb higher this time last year and if he can build on that Ascot run at a track that should suit him, he’ll be going very close in this.

Pilgrim is on a roll and was a great winner of a Royal Ascot handicap last time. An 8lb rise is fair and and there’s every chance he can improve again for David and Nicola Barron.

Holkham Bay beat Kylian when romping away at the Shergar Cup meeting. He’s going for a hat-trick and 5lb of his 10lb rise is negated by Brandon Wilkie’s claim.

He has every chance of bringing up three on the trot.

Shagraan quickened up well at Goodwood last time and a 5lb rise should be achievable if he can take another step forward.

JM Jungle loves York, placed in three big handicaps here last year, including off 5lb higher, which gives him a big chance.

2.25

RULING COURT cost nearly £2million and looked the real deal when pulling clear of a useful field on debut at Sandown.

The form has already been franked by the second and third, and there is every chance he could be the new star that Godolphin have been waiting for.

The Lion In Winter also looked out of the top draw when decimating his rivals on debut at the Curragh last month.

Aidan O’Brien is having a nightmare month in Britain, but his runners always improve for the run and he’s the clear danger.

Diablo Rojo looked a smart prospect in his own right when bolting up on debut at Redcar.

What the form is worth is up for debate, but he falls into the ‘could be anything’ category and is a solid each-way bet.

Jouncy is bred to be much better than what he’s achieved so far, but time is still on his side and he rates as another place candidate.

3.00

LOS ANGELES was a solid third in the Derby at Epsom back in June.

He was still green that day and he gave the impression he had more in his locker, which he proved by winning the Irish Derby last time.

A 5lb penalty makes things tougher, but he looks up to the task and with stamina his biggest asset, he can keep finding to record another success.

King’s Gambit was unlucky not to win the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and he improved on that form when edged out by a smart one in the York Stakes.

He will arrive on the scene late and makes obvious appeal.

Illinois stuck on gamely to win the 1m6f Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

He was second at Group 1 level in France over this trip last time and although he’s a leading contender, he may lack the turn of gear to win this.

Deira Mile stuck to his task well when fourth in the Derby. Whether he wants rattling fast ground is a worry and he needs more.

3.35

CITY OF TROY was more workmanlike than classy when winning a soft-ground Eclipse at Sandown.

It’s hard not to forget his dominant win in the Derby, however, and this faster ground will suit him much better than last time. If he brings his best, he will be tough to beat.

Bluestocking goes here rather than the Yorkshire Oaks and she has solid claims based on her second in the King George last time.

Calandagan quickened up smartly to win the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. He needs more in this company, but it’s more than plausible.

Ambiente Friendly was no match for City Of Troy in the Derby but rates as an each-way danger alongside Zarakem.

4.10

GREAT BEDWYN was strongest at the finish when third over 1m6f at Glorious Goodwood last time.

He’s only up a pound for that and considerable improvement is expected for this stiffer test. He’s lightly raced for his age and could take some stopping.

Samui was a 17-length winner at Killarney last time. He’s totally unexposed on the level and a 13lb rise might still underestimate him, for all that topweight will be tough to concede.

Divine Comedy was clear with the winner when edged out at Royal Ascot.

She’s up another 5lb, but she’s thriving and she will be staying all the way home.

Iron Lion was impressive at Ripon last time and this trip should suit.

Stablemate Get Shirty has dropped in the weights and is one to watch.

4.45

GOT TO LOVE A GREY loves a big field and can take this sprint prize.

She won a Listed prize in France on return and although she’s been a bit disappointing since, she posted a big career-best with a close second in a Glorious Goodwood handicap last time.

She’s 2lb higher, but that could have been much harsher and still unexposed for her top and in-form yard she can get back to winning ways.

Gutsy Girl is the potential improver in the field. She also posted a career-best when routing a field at Kempton last time.

She’s up 7lb in a much tougher race, but she should have plenty more to offer.

Miss Attitude went down by a nose at Goodwood last time when looking the winner throughout. She’s up 5lb, but a strong gallop suits her perfectly and she won’t be far away either.

Alcazan is going for a hat-trick after minor wins at Ascot and Brighton.

An in-form mare can never be discounted and she’ll go very close.

At a huge price, don’t discount Hurt You Never. This ground is absolutely perfect for her and she has no weight.

5.20

ARTAGNAN got his act together with a smooth win at Glorious Goodwood this month.

He impressed with the way he travelled up and quickened away, clearly relishing the big-field hustle and bustle.

He has scope for lots of improvement for his top connections and a 7lb rise is unlikely to stop him going in again under James Doyle.

Cayman Tai was second to him at Goodwood and won’t be far away again. He’s finished second on all of his starts bar one, which was a win at Ffos Las against two runners.

He’s still lightly raced and probably deserves another turn.

The sky is the limit for Scatter Penny. She’s won both her starts with ease and goes handicapping off a mark that isn’t out of range.

The worry remains the form of her yard – the Easterbys cannot buy a winner.

Handcuffed would be a popular winner for the Royals. She was a smooth winner on debut and didn’t disgrace herself in a Group 3 last time. She can do better in handicaps.

Moving Force is well regarded and shouldn’t be given up on just yet.

Templegate’s tips

YORK

1.50 Kylian
2.25 Ruling Court
3.00 Los Angeles (treble)
3.35 City Of Troy (nb)
4.10 Great Bedwyn (nap)
4.45 Got To Love A Grey
5.20 Artagnan

CARLISLE

2.05 Khaldiya
2.40 Pinsent
3.15 Wichahpi
3.50 Ribble River
4.25 Greenwich
5.00 Rebecca’s Girl
5.30 JKR Cobbler
6.02 Iris Dancer

WORCESTER

4.50 Don Ochetti
5.25 Oliver Travels
5.55 Miss Goldfire
6.30 Walk Of The Roses
7.00 Onlyamatteroftime
7.35 No Way Pedro
8.05 Gieves

KEMPTON

5.50 Silver Peak
6.20 Chelsea Embankment
6.50 Jayyash
7.25 Candyman Stan
8.00 Havana Club
8.30 Flavour Maker

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