TEMPLEGATE takes on one of the biggest Saturdays of the year confident of giving the bookies a right good bashing.
The feature race of the day is the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, due off at 3.35pm and live on ITV1.
Don’t forget to check out our man’s best bets for the final day of Punchestown Festival too.
Follow Templegate in on any of his tips simply by clicking their odds below.
GSTAAD (3.35 Newmarket, nap)
Can give Aidan O’Brien an amazing 11th 2,000 Guineas triumph. The son of American sire Starspangledbanner brings rock-solid Group 1 form, stayed a mile when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar and ran well in the Dewhurst over 7f here. His Coventry win at Royal Ascot showed serious pace and he’s since proved that he gets the trip. He should get the quickish ground he likes and looks rock-solid.
FITZELLA (1.30 Goodwood, nb)
FITZELLA can blast her way back to victory coming down in trip and class. Hugo Palmer’s filly already has Group 3 form in the book after making all at Ascot last summer and she’s been mixing it in deeper waters since. Dropping back to 6f at Listed level can unlock another win. She did too much too soon over 7f in the Nell Gwyn on her return and this sharper test suits far better. She can grab the lead early and prove very tough to pass under David Probert.
BLUE BOLT (2.05 Goodwood, treble)
Looks too good on this drop in class. Andrew Balding’s filly was highly progressive last season, rattling off a hat-trick before stepping up again when second in both Group 3 and Group 1 company. That Jattvibe Chariot effort reads particularly well and she looks the type to improve as a four-year-old.
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Templegate’s TV verdicts
NEWMARKET
1.45
INVICTUS GOLD can shine in this tricky sprint.
Tom Clover’s gelding loves this track, stays 6f well and already has a course-and-distance win on his CV.
He was third behind Double Rush here on his comeback, but that was his first run for 138 days and he should be sharper now.
Back on good ground with Billy Loughnane taking over, he can make his presence felt.
Double Rush is the obvious danger. He looked smart when winning over this course and distance last time and remains unbeaten at Newmarket.
The penalty may not stop him striking again.
Addison Grey is another threat after going close at Newbury on his reappearance.
He is lightly raced, still open to progress and looks fairly treated from the same mark.
Jakajaro returned with a dominant 5f win here and now steps back up to 6f under a penalty.
He has the pace to be involved, although this is deeper.
Coul Angel chased home Double Rush here last time and should run his race again, while Apollo One has the back-class to be in the place picture if rediscovering his best after a mixed spell in the Middle East.
2.20
BULLET POINT can land this hot contest for William Haggas.
He is two from two on the Rowley Mile and won on comeback last season so goes well fresh.
He looked potentially better than a handicapper last season, with a second in the Hunt Cup and Clipper win at York.
He didn’t enjoy his trip to Australia when last seen in November and can get back to winning ways here.
Alcarath is dangerous off a fair weight after bolting up in an Epsom novice last autumn.
His Redcar handicap debut was less convincing but the Epsom form has worked out well and he remains open to improvement.
Mister Winston won nicely here on his comeback and Oisin Murphy sticking with him catches the eye.
A 5lb penalty asks more but he is clearly going the right way.
Botanical ran a fine fourth in the Lincoln on his first start for Karl Burke and should be suited by this course and distance.
Softer ground would bring him right into it.
Erzindjan was fourth in last year’s Cambridgeshire over this track and trip and a strong gallop should help him finish strongly.
2.55
AIN’T NOBODY can strike for Kevin Ryan in a blistering Palace House Stakes.
He produced a huge run when second in last season’s Nunthorpe at York, chasing home Asfoora in that top-class Group 1 over this trip.
That is the standout piece of form, and this furious 5f test should suit a horse who can be played late off a searching gallop.
Ryan Moore taking the ride is a major plus and gives him every chance of being delivered at the right moment.
Asfoora is the class act after winning the Nunthorpe and Prix de l’Abbaye last season, but she has a 7lb penalty to carry on her comeback and that makes life tougher.
She usually needs a run to get going too.
Rumstar won this race last year and is 2-2 over course and distance, so he demands respect fresh.
Quinault is race-fit after a solid third here in the Abernant and the likely strong pace could bring him right into it.
JM Jungle had a terrific campaign last year, winning the Group 2 King George at Goodwood, while Frost At Dawn has strong Group 1 sprint form and is dangerous if ready after a break.
Shagraan is reliable at this level and can go well fresh, while First Instinct and Night Raider have penalties to overcome in a deep sprint.
3.35
GSTAAD can give Aidan O’Brien an amazing 11th 2,000 Guineas triumph.
The son of American sire Starspangledbanner brings rock-solid Group 1 form, stayed a mile when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar and ran well in the Dewhurst over 7f here.
His Coventry win at Royal Ascot showed serious pace and he’s since proved that he gets the trip.
He should get the quickish ground he likes and looks rock-solid.
Distant Storm is the main threat. Charlie Appleby’s colt was impressive in a 7f Group 3 here before finishing third in the Dewhurst and this step up to a mile should suit.
He has big upside and the yard has won three of the past four runnings.
Bow Echo is unbeaten and already a course-and-distance Group 2 winner after landing the Royal Lodge.
Ryan Moore on Gstaad
AIDAN O’BRIEN’S No1 jockey knows what it takes to win a pressure-packed race better than anybody.
Here, he runs through his thoughts on Gstaad and some of his main rivals in the colts’ Classic.
Moore said: “Gstaad is the standard-setter in the Guineas. He’s the highest rated and the most proven at the top level.
“You can’t knock his form. He’s a Royal Ascot winner, and was second in the Prix Morny, where he was beaten by Venetian Jattvibe but finished in front of the Middle Park winner, Wise Approach.
“He was second in the National Stakes, second in the Dewhurst and then went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar. That’s the strongest form on offer in my mind.
“Bow Echo was a rock-solid two-year-old last season and deserves to be up there in the betting, but he will need to improve on what he did last year.
“I’ve got plenty of respect for Distant Storm, who has the second-best bit of form in the race having been third to Gstaad in the Dewhurst. He’s got winning form on the Rowley Mile track over 1400m and the step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem.
“Godolphin also run King’s Trail, who’s been very impressive in two runs on the all-weather. You can draw comparisons between him and 2024’s winner Notable Speech, so you could certainly make a case for him, but he obviously this is a big step up.”
He travels strongly and still has plenty more to offer.
Connections are very confident but he’s drifted in the market this week.
Oxagon comes here race-fit after winning the Craven over trip and track, while Avicenna shaped well behind him and remains open to progress.
It wouldn’t be a shock to see that form turned around.
King’s Trail is a fascinating unbeaten colt after two Kempton wins for Appleby.
This is a huge leap into the deep end but he could make the frame.
Alparslan won the Greenham but has stamina to prove, while Power Blue has Group 1 sprint form but may be stretched by a strongly-run mile.
At a big price, Needle Match was green in the Greenham and has an each-way shout.
GOODWOOD
1.30
FITZELLA can blast her way back to victory coming down in trip and class.
Hugo Palmer’s filly already has Group 3 form in the book after making all at Ascot last summer and she’s been mixing it in deeper waters since.
Dropping back to 6f at Listed level can unlock another win.
She did too much too soon over 7f in the Nell Gwyn on her return and this sharper test suits far better.
She can grab the lead early and prove very tough to pass under David Probert.
Hassaleh is the unknown improver from the Charlie Appleby yard and looked smart when scoring readily at Newmarket.
She’s unexposed at sprint trips and could have plenty more to offer.
Zooming shaped well in Group company on her comeback just 14 days ago and a strongly run 6f looks right up her street.
She’s on the upgrade and firmly in the mix for William Haggas.
Argentine Tango brings solid, proven form at this level, including a close Group 3 fourth at Chantilly, while Princess Petrol has strong juvenile credentials but must leave her disappointing reappearance well behind.
Hollywood Treasure and Flowerhead both have ability but need to step forward to figure at this level.
2.05
BLUE BOLT looks too good on this drop in class.
Andrew Balding’s filly was highly progressive last season, rattling off a hat-trick before stepping up again when second in both Group 3 and Group 1 company.
That Jattvibe Chariot effort reads particularly well and she looks the type to improve as a four-year-old.
Arisaig is a solid yardstick and a course-and-distance performer who ran well when second at Newmarket on her return.
She’ll be doing her best work late with ultimate hold-up jockey Jamie Spencer on board.
Shes Perfect brings high-class form, having been first past the post in the French 1,000 Guineas before losing it in the stewards’ room.
She’s been off since a below-par run in the Prix de Diane but is respected back at a mile if ready to go.
Kon Tiki is another interesting runner returning from a long break.
She looked smart when unbeaten early last season, including a York Listed win, but she is entitled to need this after not running since Royal Ascot last year.
Never Let Go arrives in form after a solid comeback second at Kempton, though this is a stronger race, while Betty Clover has bits of useful form but looks up against it at this level.
THIRSK
2.40
CITY OF POETS looks solid in a typically tricky Thirsk Hunt Cup.
He caught the eye on his return at Wolverhampton, finishing a close third having been outpaced before staying on strongly late, and that run screams that this stiffer mile will suit him much better.
The strong pace expected here should play right into his hands, giving him something to aim at before coming through late.
He’s still lightly raced in handicaps, open to improvement as a four-year-old, and a mark of 93 could easily underestimate him if he takes the expected step forward.
Stablemate Blue Rc may be the biggest threat after his solid comeback third at Newcastle.
He is proven over this trip but is creeping up the weights.
William Haggas runs Sea Force who looked rusty at Musselburgh on comeback and should do better.
Flight Plan is coming down the weights and could be helped by the tongue tie going on for the first time.
Templegate’s tips
NEWMARKET
1.10 Sky Majesty Yard excels in race, proven six furlongs, acts on any ground, improving.
1.45 Invictus Gold Course winner here, ran solid third latest, effective six furlongs, versatile ground.
2.20 Bullet Point Classy type, proven fresh, effective mile, more to offer this season likely.
2.55 Ain’t Nobody Smart Group performer, suited by five furlongs, fast ground suits, capable winner.
3.35 Gstaad (nap) Top class juvenile winner, stays mile, acts on firm, leading contender here.
4.10 Sovereign Spell Progressive sprinter, course winner, effective six furlongs, sound surface suits, competitive mark.
4.45 Gamrai Improved markedly last time, stays trip well, trainer in form, more expected.
5.20 Lohoobb Up to seven furlongs suits, improvement likely from top trainer.
5.55 Man Of La Mancha Won here last time, progressive profile, effective mile, acts on any ground.
GOODWOOD
12.55 Ciarrai Abu Improved second last time shows speed and potential for further progress today.
1.30 Fitzella (nb) Consistent filly ran well in Group company and should improve for run.
2.05 Blue Bolt (treble) High class performer, runner up in Group One, should outclass rivals returning.
2.45 Arc Zoosve Arrives in top form after wins and could complete hat trick here.
3.20 The Thames Boatman Narrowly denied last time off this mark and looks well treated again.
4.00 Yabher Progressive last season winning handicap and likely has more improvement to come.
4.30 Moharaj Impressive maiden winner with more to offer and opening mark looks lenient.
5.05 Jeddaal Improved winner last time and remains fairly treated returning to handicaps here.
THIRSK
1.35 Tamam Star Unlucky fourth on debut showed promise, suited by 5f, strong chance.
2.10 Town Queen Good second on debut, shaped well, improvement likely despite ground concerns.
2.40 City Of Poets Game effort latest, still well treated, trip suits and holds solid claims.
3.15 Analogical Progressive winner last time, stays well, handles conditions, leading contender.
3.55 Aberama Gold Returned to form with win, suited by 6f, remains on competitive mark.
4.25 Equity Law Fair recent runs, back to winning mark, suited by trip but needs more.
5.00 Law Supreme Consistent recent form, trip ideal, handles ground, holds strong winning chance.
UTTOXETER
12.45 Saccary Good effort here last time beaten three lengths, same mark, solid chance.
1.20 Lexington Wood Faced Grade Two latest, drops in class now and expected to improve.
1.55 On The Bayou Good earlier form and yard won this race last year, strong claims.
2.35 Calimystic Progressive winner last time and still improving, suited by conditions here.
3.10 Tom Desjy Promising chase debut third and expected to improve again from that run.
3.50 Sir Galahad Good form before latest and expected to improve for that recent run.
4.20 Good Boy Griff Narrow second last time and remains unexposed with more improvement likely.
4.50 Tune In A Box Strong second last time and returning to form, trip suits well.
HEXHAM4.40 Seeyouinmydreams Solid second latest, drop in grade helps, trip fine, leading chance.
5.15 Crest Of Arms Pulled up latest, hurdling debut now, needs big step forward here.
5.45 Earnest Belief Promising third on hurdle debut, more to come, trip suits, big chance.
6.15 Sonigino Impressive chase win latest, trip ideal, handles cut, leading contender.
6.45 Filibustering Back to best winning latest, fair mark now, trip suits, strong chance.
7.15 Kingofthegame Better fourth latest, visor now, fair mark, needs to build on that.
7.45 Kicksaftersix Won here latest, stays well, proven at trip, good record here, chance.
8.15 Robert D’Ores Below best latest, but likes it here, fair mark now, could bounce back.
DONCASTER
4.35 Stay Salty Has been flying on the sand and can strike on turf.
5.10 Noelan Star Has won both races nicely and can land the hat-trick.
5.50 Note To Self Bred to be classy and comes from leading connections.
6.27 Akkadian Thunder Good second over course and distance on comeback.
7.02 Mafting Good effort when winning at Redcar on return last time.
7.32 Tekitoff Knocking on the door and this looks a decent chance.
8.02 Evocative Spark Has won past two nicely and every chance of the hat-trick.
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