Templegate’s horse racing tips: York – Top betting preview for TODAY’S ITV racing
York, Carlisle, Brighton, Kempton and Worcester come under the spotlight as Templegate gives you his best bets for the day
YORK
1.55
EL ASTRONAUTE is out of this world. You need stacks of pace for York’s flat 5f and that’s just what John Quinn’s speedster has got.
He is at his best on sharp tracks as he showed when winning over today’s course and distance in May.
His fourth in a Listed race here was another decent effort and it was only the stiff finish that found him out when he faded into fourth behind Tis Marvellous at Ascot in the Shergar Cup.
Tis Marvellous was always likely to come good at some stage. He was a Group 2 winner as a juvenile but had lost his way a bit before bouncing back to form.
Clive Cox’s hope is 5lbs worse off with my fancy but the sharper track is a bigger factor. I thought stablemate Koditime was in for a good summer when making a winning return here in May.
ITV RACING Find out what races will be shown live on ITV this Wednesday here
He hasn’t progressed since but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well at a decent price.
Culturati looked a smart prospect when returning from nearly two years off the track to land a hat-trick of wins last season.
The soft ground shouldn’t have been a problem when disappointing over 7f at this track last time and I’m not sure the drop in trip is the answer.
Fashion Queen runs in her first handicap. She won an uncompetitive Listed race over today’s track and trip last season but has blown hot and cold since. Softer ground would have suited her.
2.25
I’LL tell you Wat’s good for you in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes. WATAN looked really smart when an impressive winner of a maiden on his debut at Glorious Goodwood.
To see off rivals with some good form in the book was a splendid effort and he can only improve for today’s extra furlong.
All eight runners won last time out so this could easily be a hot little race. Broome is an obvious threat having landed a Galway maiden a couple of weeks ago.
Aidan O’Brien’s youngster generally keep progressing but his stable hasn’t been firing in the winners as rapidly as usual in recent weeks.
Templegate's top tips for York
1.55 York - El Astronaute: 'You need stacks of pace for this test - and he certainly has that'
2.25 York - Watan: 'Looked very good when winning at Glorious Goodwood on his debut'
3.00 York - Cross Counter: 'Ran away with the Gordon Stakes and is highly rated'
3.35 York - Poet's Word: 'Had a terrific summer and the drop back to this trip won't be an issue'
Persian Moon battled on well when successful under a penalty over today’s track and trip last month. I’m just a bit concerned he’ll get caught out for a lack of pace.
Phoenix Of Spain might be a bigger danger. He was only a couple of lengths behind more experienced Persian Moon at Sandown on his debut and he made no mistake on Wolverhampton’s all-weather last month.
3.00
THE Sky Bet Great Voltigeur all adds up to a Counter. Godolphin ace CROSS COUNTER landed a hot Ascot handicap before running away with the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
There’s no doubt he had plenty in his favour that day but the manner of victory was most impressive.
He’s not had much racing and could easily take another step forward. If that happens he will be hard to beat.
Wells Farhh Go won the Acomb on this day 12 months ago. He was exposed on his first two starts of this season but he bounced back in style to win the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket’s July Meeting.
There’s no doubt he was at a big advantage getting his own way in front under a fine ride from David Allan and he won’t get such a soft time of it again.
Likely pacemaker Nelson – one of four runners for Aidan O’Brien – will do Wells Farhh Go no favours as he attempts to set the race up for Kew Gardens.
LOOKING FOR LOVE The Queen's retired horse Call To Mind looking for breeding slot at stud
The Coolmore number one has really hit form in his last couple of starts having trailed in well beaten in the Derby.
He bolted up in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and then bagged a Group 1 in France last month. A 5lbs penalty makes life tricky and O’Brien’s not firing like we’ve come to expect.
3.35
HAVE the last Word in the Juddmonte International Stakes. Sir Michael Stoute holds the record for the most wins in this great Group 1 prize and I reckon he’ll add number seven to his haul with POET’S WORD.
He came right away from Cracksman to win the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and he returned to that track to swoop late in the King George.
The return to 1m2f will be no problem at all. He’s probably even better over today’s shorter trip and he clearly sets the standard.
Coral-Eclipse hero Roaring Lion is probably the best of the Classic generation.
Latest in Horse Racing
He got the better of 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior at Sandown but I just don’t think the three-year-olds are up to much.
Without Parole clearly failed to fire in the Sussex Stakes. He completed a four-timer in the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot but that form looks distinctly ordinary for a top-level race.
Godolphin pair Benbatl and Thunder Snow have been at their best in Dubai, while dual course winner Thundering Blue needs to take a big step forward.
YORK
1.55 El Astronaute (nb)
2.25 Watan
3.00 Cross Counter
3.35 Poet’s Word (nap)
4.15 Here And Now
4.50 Eljayeff
BRIGHTON
2.15 King’s Girl
2.50 Harlequin Rose
3.25 Procedure
4.00 Fairlight
4.35 Black Caesar (treble)
5.10 Red Gunner
CARLISLE
2.05 Shortbackandsides
2.40 Arabic Channel
3.15 Kensington Art
3.50 Bellick
4.25 Desert Ace
4.55 Markhan
5.25 Make Me
5.55 Ingleby Hollow
KEMPTON
5.45 Lively Lydia
6.15 Imphal
6.45 White Turf
7.15 We Know
7.45 Honey Man
8.15 Beauty Filly
8.45 Excelleration
WORCESTER
5.00 Mr Satco
5.30 One For Billy
6.00 Melody Of Scotland
6.30 Carntop
7.00 Hassle
7.30 Skin Deep
8.00 His Dream