Horse racing tips: ‘He's improving rapidly and looks a superstar' – Templegate's 10-3 Goodwood day three NAP
Back a horse by clicking their odds below.
COPPULL (1.55 Goodwood, nap)
He can hit the target for Clive Cox. His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2. He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal.
WHIRL (3.05 Goodwood, nb)
She's a progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal.
MERCHANT (2.30 Goodwood, treble)
He can sell his rivals down the river. The William Haggas colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win -where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up - screamed quality. He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully.
Templegate's TV verdicts
GOODWOOD
Most read in Horse Racing
1.20
BEST SECRET
is fancied to land this hot handicap after a cracking third in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot, where he finished powerfully from off the pace.
He's up 5lb for that effort but was clear of the rest and looks the type to keep improving over this trip.
A strongly run race on decent ground should suit perfectly and he sets the standard.
Main danger could be
High Degree
, who made all in a Ffos Las maiden and now tackles 1m2f for the first time.
His pedigree screams stamina and trainer William Haggas won this race 12 months ago.
He's unexposed, goes forward, and is open to loads of progress.
Calla Lagoon
is another improver worth noting.
He shaped well in a Listed contest at Chester on comeback and looks just the type to take off now handicapping over a longer trip.
Parole d'Oro
and
Seagolazo
both finished strongly at Newmarket last time and are bred to stay. They have place potential.
1.55
COPPULL
can hit the target for Clive Cox.
His debut win at Leicester has worked out superbly and he ran a stormer in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, finishing third at 66-1 in that Group 2.
He's improving fast and the step back into calmer waters could be just what he needs with this sharp 6f looking ideal.
Havana Hurricane
sets the standard after winning the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and went mighty close in the Super Sprint last time despite not getting the clearest run.
He's tough and classy but most of his best work has come at 5f, so the extra furlong on drying ground could ask a question.
Azizam
also ran a cracker at the Royal meeting, finishing third behind Havana Hurricane despite being drawn away from the action.
That was only his second start and the move up to 6f looks ideal. He's a big player again.
Maximized
beat Havana Hurricane at Epsom and has claims if bouncing back from a poor run in the July Stakes, while Puerto Rico was second in a Curragh Group 2 and isn't written off.
2.30
MERCHANT
can sell his rivals down the river.
William Haggas' colt has looked a Group performer in waiting since being upped to this trip and his Royal Ascot handicap win — where he beat the subsequent Irish Derby runner-up — screamed quality.
He's still improving, travels strongly and sees the trip out powerfully. There's a lot more to come.
Rahiebb
gave Merchant weight when close behind him at York and again caught the eye in the Queen's Vase when third over 1m6f at Ascot.
Now at level weights and back to 1m4f he should be bang there.
Ballydoyle hope
Galveston
has looked sharper since blinkers went on, making all at Naas before a decent front-running show when third in the King Edward VII.
He'll likely try similar tactics again and could prove hard to pass if allowed a soft lead.
Wimbledon Hawkeye
pushed older rivals close last time in the Princess Of Wales's Stakes, while
Sir Dinadan
ran above expectations in the Irish Derby but may have been flattered by that result.
Windlord
got his head back in front at Sandown but may find this too warm, and
Too Soon
has it all to prove on current form after a beating in handicap company last time out.
3.05
GIVE it a
WHIRL
in the £600,000 Nassau Stakes.
She was a good second in the Oaks and showed her Group 1 class when winning the Pretty Polly at The Curragh. This trip is ideal and there's more to come.
This will take some winning though with See The Fire and Cercene live rivals.
Here's my guide to the field, where I rate each horse one (worst) to five (best):
BEDTIME STORY 3
FAIRY Story. This son of Frankel was a smart juvenile who landed Group 2 and Group 3 wins on fast ground last year and bounced back with a cracking second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Ground no issue here and 1m2f suits well. Needs more again in this deeper Group 1 and Ryan Moore prefers Whirl, which is a notable pointer. But she's clearly talented, in-form and still improving. Not dismissed lightly and could hit the frame with another career best.
CERCENE 4
CENE and heard. Irish 1,000 Guineas third who caused a 33-1 shock in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on powerfully to land that Group 1 in style. Faces her toughest test yet here over a new trip but she's bred to stay 1m2f being by Australia, and her finishing effort last time suggests she'll relish it. Progressive, tough and clearly thriving, she may just be underestimated again. Not out of this by any means.
RUNNING LION 1
LION tamed. Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last summer and went close in the Prix de l'Opera on Arc weekend but hasn't quite hit those heights this season. Solid fourth in the Duke of Cambridge last month but lacked the same spark. She's classy and could get an easy lead but may find a few finishing stronger. Capable of a bold show if allowed her own way but others look more convincing at this level now.
SEE THE FIRE 4
HOT Fire. Neck second in this race last year and has looked better than ever in 2025, bolting up in the Middleton at York and then finishing a fine third against the boys in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Proven at 1m2f, handles fast ground and she's rock solid back against her own sex. Holds standout claims on form and will be right there if she repeats that Ascot run.
WHIRL 5
WHIRL cool. Progressive filly who made light work of the Musidora at York in May before finishing second in the Oaks at Epsom, before gaining deserved Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly last time. That Curragh form looks rock solid with the runner-up boosting it since and this trip looks ideal. Fast ground holds no fears and she's thriving. Moore's pick from the yard and rates a major player with everything in her favour. Very hard to knock her serious winning chance.
3.45
GETREADYTORUMBLE
looks a knockout bet.
He's already scored over this C&D and lost nothing in defeat when third at Sandown last time, a race that's working out well.
He's improving fast, handles good to firm, and still looks fairly treated.
Main danger could be
Nad Alshiba Green
, who rarely runs a bad race and has hit the frame in eight of her nine handicaps.
She was just behind Getreadytorumble at Sandown and remains a big player despite another 3lb rise in the weights.
The Man
is interesting too. He made a winning comeback after wind and gelding ops in a strong York handicap and could easily build on that now.
Ruby's Profit
didn't stay on the stiff track at Royal Ascot but flew home to win over this C&D in May. She's best when allowed to dictate.
Templegate's tips
FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org
.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Read more on the Irish Sun
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare –
Gamble Aware –
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He goes on any ground and arrives after a personal best' – Templegate's 5-1 NAP
TEMPLEGATE takes on Friday's racing from Glorious Goodwood confident of success after banging in a 28-1 treble on Thursday. Back a horse by clicking their odds below. Advertisement 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. BIG MOJO (3.05 Goodwood, nb) Likes it here and can show his class in the King George Qatar Stakes. Advertisement DIEGO VENTURA (1.55 Goodwood, treble) He is just about the only runner in the field who is proven in testing conditions - and looks set to get just that. Templegate's TV verdicts 1.20 Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Exclusive 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 3.05 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Wonderful Whirl powers to Nassau Stakes glory
Aidan O'Brien's Whirl dominated the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, to record her second Group 1 success of the season. The previous race, the Gordon Stakes, was subject to a small delay due to a torrential downpour and when almost 30 millimetres of rain fell in half an hour, the going was changed to heavy. With lightning in the area, too, the starting stalls were deemed too dangerous to use and following a flag start Ryan Moore took the bull by the horns and sent the Oaks runner-up into the lead. The Musidora and Pretty Polly winner, who lost out only narrowly at Epsom to stablemate Minnie Hauk, was always in control and while See The Fire briefly looked a threat, Moore had saved plenty and Whirl pulled five lengths clear as the 6-5 favourite. Cecerne, a surprise winner of the Coronation Stakes, kept on well for second on her first run over 10 furlongs. O'Brien said: "It's incredible really, she's a home-bred filly by Wootton Bassett who has all the options in front of her. She could go to the Arc, the Arc trials, and the Breeders' Cup as well. "In the spring when the fillies worked it was Whirl who came up in front. Minnie Hauk is a great traveller, a great cruiser, and we won't see the best of her until she goes up in class against older horses. "Even when she was following this filly at Epsom she was finding it very easy to follow her, but listen, we don't know what this filly is yet either. We saw what happened at Epsom, where Ryan (on Minnie Hauk) was very confident that he was going to go and get her but she just kept coming with him. "When they do come together we will find out who is the best." For his part, Joe Murphy could hardly have been more proud of Cercene following her second-placed finish. "We were delighted with the filly, Gary said she was wheel-spinning on the ground and she still ran a great race," said Murphy. "We do know she needs good ground but she's just sheer courage, she's a wonderful thing. "She's unbelievable, she really is. No words can describe how genuine and honest and tough she is. She loves life. "She gets the trip no problem, but I think we'll go back for the Matron (Stakes, over a mile at Leopardstown) and hope the ground is good. "She's the best filly I've ever trained and I've had some really good fillies. "She just comes out on top, you could see for yourself the courage. Pure courage. I am proud, I'm proud of everyone. I'm proud of myself as well!" On whether he considered withdrawing her when the rain fell so heavily, the trained quipped: "When you look at the prize pot and see the cheque you could get... we need the money!" Andrew Balding's See The Fire was the third-placed horse at 5-2 under Oisin Murphy, beaten six and a quarter lengths in total. "Conditions weren't ideal obviously, but who is to say we would have beaten the winner anyway?" said the trainer. "She didn't have a terribly hard time and seemed OK afterwards. We will kick on to York for the Juddmonte International."
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
My headline 11-2 tip can pull off a famous Glorious Goodwood double in the big sprint on Friday
FIRST came Evs and now there's Mojo as trainer Mick Appleby tries to make it 'Big' in the feature sprint on day four of Glorious Goodwood. Twelve months ago it was Big Evs who took the King George Qatar Stakes for Appleby and Tom Marquand. Advertisement 1 Big Mojo could prove unstoppable in what is sure to be a rapid King George sprint at Goodwood Credit: Alamy On Friday afternoon, live on ITV, the pair are at it again with BIG MOJO and have every chance of pulling off a famous double. This season the crack juvenile has been second in the July Cup and seventh in the Commonwealth Cup. Both of those are over 6f, and I suspect he will love dropping back to 5f. Has a big mojo of a chance. Opposition is headed by last year's runner-up Asfoora who challenges from Australia as well as Khaadem, who blew away cobwebs at Newbury the other day. Advertisement He won this in 2022 from Appleby's Raasel! The action starts with a unique handicap over an extended 2m4f. One-time St Leger hope ALIGN THE STARS might cause a ripple for Charlie Johnston and Christophe Soumillon. A seventh in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot wasn't a bad performance suggesting this trip is not totally out of his compass and his fifth at Newmarket last time wasn't too bad. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing He's down another pound now and I'm not sure this is the strongest renewal of all time. An each-way chance. The Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes is for three-year-olds over 1m and Opera Ballo was my pick here but I'll go for DIEGO VENTURA now given form on what is sure to be sodden ground. Another handicap in the Golden Mile over, you've guessed it, 1m. BOPEDRO was fifth in this last year off 96 and hasn't won a race since yet goes in now off 98. Advertisement All in all he's a badly handicapped horse especially at the age of nine. That all said, Hector Crouch can have fun with this ride as there is no pressure from a horrible draw in stall 16. The old boy will be dropped out and ridden cold and try and fly home late. I'll chance a few quid each-way. Trainer David O'Meara is great in these races and ground conditions are not issue. Advertisement Finally on ITV a conditions race over 1m1f. LIBERTY LANE has to give some weight away but will probably take all the beating for Clifford Lee and Karl Burke. My hope flopped at Royal Ascot in the Wolferton over a bit further, but he scored well at this track the time before and this level should be well within his reach. When he's on a going day he's quite a decent horse. Advertisement Good luck! FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
