Horse racing tips: ‘He goes on any ground and arrives after a personal best' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP
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FIFTH COLUMN (2.30 Goodwood, nap)
John Gosden has a nice three-year-old on his hands in this son of Kingman. He showed promise last season and got off the mark in a Kempton maiden on comeback in April. That form was quickly left behind with a smooth handicap success at Sandown - before an excellent effort in the Britannia at Royal Ascot. He was only seventh in that hot contest but he was first home in his group getting the worst of the draw. He clocked a personal best when winning at Newmarket last time and relishes this mile trip. He goes on any ground so it won't matter what the weather does.
Likes it here and can show his class in the King George Qatar Stakes.
He is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions - and looks set to get just that.
1.20
KYLE OF LOCHALSH is fancied to go three better than last year's fourth and land this marathon prize.
He's on the same mark, handles any ground and shaped with promise on his reappearance.
He's much more lightly raced than 12 months ago and looks primed to peak.
Aggagio loves it round here and was impressive under Ashley Lewis last time but stamina beyond 2m remains a question mark.
Align The Stars hasn't quite fired this year but ran well in a strong Royal Ascot handicap and is lurking on a handy mark.
He has a good record here but came up short in this last year.
Tashkhan is classy and thrives in deep ground should it rain, with similar comments applying to Zinc White.
Sheradann has been knocking on the door and shapes as though this trip will suit.
Irish raider Mordor is interesting as this stamina test could bring improvement.
1.55
DIEGO VENTURA is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions.
James Doyle's mount has been running well at Listed level in France and scored over seven furlongs at Longchamp in May.
He then went well at Epsom before going down in a bunch finish at Chantilly last time.
Conditions will be ideal and he has more to come.
Cosmic Year has shown his best on good ground as he showed when second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas which is strong form.
The ground may not be ideal but this is a fair drop in class which makes him a player.
King Of Cities has been placed on tacky ground and sees out this trip well.
He has yet to win this season but could go well under Ryan Moore.
Seagulls Eleven was a solid second to non-runner Opera Ballo at Newmarket last time.
He's unproven on this ground and needs a step forward.
2.30
FIFTH COLUMN can take another step up for the Gosdens.
His only defeat this season came when a strong-finishing seventh in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, where he won his group and shaped like the best horse on the far side.
He confirmed that when winning stylishly at Newmarket last time, and a 3lb penalty might not be enough to anchor this improving three-year-old who can beat his elders.
Skukuza is the main threat.
He's officially 8lb well in after two smooth wins at The Curragh, including a Listed last time, and is clearly thriving.
Greek Order ran a screamer in the Royal Hunt Cup on his first start back from the US and again shaped well at Sandown behind Arisaig who is a contender here.
He's a big player if things fall right. Ebt's Guard has run well here before and wasn't beaten far in the Royal Hunt Cup.
BIG MOJO can follow up last year's Glorious Goodwood win in the King George Qatar Stakes.
Mick Appleby's flyer ran a cracker at Newmarket last time and looks up to this level.
Aussie Asfoora will show her true colours here after a poor Ascot run, while She's Quality lives up to her name.
Here's my guide to the field, where I rate them one (worst) to five (best):
ASFOORA 4
FOOR star. Aussie raider won the King Charles III at Royal Ascot last year was just denied in this. Had excuses this year and could bounce back.
BIG MOJO 5
BIG chance. Won Molecomb here last year and has progressed at three. Unlucky in the Commonwealth Cup and ran a huge race in the July Cup. Strong claims back at 5f.
CELANDINE 2
HARD Cel. Chased home Big Mojo in last year's Molecomb and beat Time For Sandals over 6f at York. Needs to prove she enjoys 5f as much.
CLARENDON HOUSE 1
DON for. Has run well over this C&D before but was poor at Epsom last time and needs more at this level.
FROST AT DAWN 3
HOT Frost. Won 6f Listed race earlier this season and showed real speed when second in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. Can go close again.
JM JUNGLE 2
JUNGLE fever. Won over C&D at this meeting in 2023 and landed the Epsom Dash in June. Ran well in Listed last time but not up to this.
KERDOS 3
TAKE Ker. Fifth in this race last year and good run in the King Charles III. Likes tacky ground and cheekpieces may help.
KHAADEM 3
KHA motors. Won this in 2022 and has landed two Group 1s. He's unbeaten in two runs here and looks a big place price.
MANACCAN 1
DANGER Man. Solid Listed performer over this trip but has been struggling for a while.
NIGHT RAIDER 3
NIGHT shifts. Unbeaten in four AW starts including a Listed 6f at Newcastle. Turf form not as hot but it's early days.
SHE'S QUALITY 4
QUALITY pays. Ran a stormer when second in a hot Group 2 at Haydock in May. Sandown didn't suit last time and this test looks much more suitable.
SPARTAN ARROW 2
BLUNT arrow. Has improved since sporting cheekpieces and took a French Listed prize latest. Goes well here and track/trip suits but this is much tougher opposition.
TIME FOR SANDALS 3
TIME trial. Surprise winner of the Commonwealth Cup over 6f at Ascot. Could improve again but drop in trip an unknown.
TOWN AND COUNTRY 1
TOWN and out. Few miles on the clock and is a Listed winner over this trip. Progressive but needs a lot more in this company.
3.45
SOCIALITE can get the party started.
Charlie Hills' four-year-old can take this prize with a bold front-running show.
He quickened smartly to win at Windsor on handicap debut, shaping as though this extra furlong would suit.
Lightly raced, progressive and effective on any ground, he could prove tough to pass from a handy draw.
Liberty Lane is the main danger, with a soft-ground Cambridgeshire win and a Listed success here this year marking him out as a serious player.
Haunted Dream won this race last year and had excuses at Royal Ascot. He's a big threat back at this track.
Godwinson is thriving after wins in the Lincoln and at Newcastle. He'll be right there if liking this longer trip.
Fox Legacy is flying and isn't written off provided the rain stays away.
Templegate's tips
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