Candy still sweet on big sprint prizes for evergreen Run To Freedom
However, having only made it to the track once last season and failed to make a major impact on his first two starts this term, Run To Freedom was 40-1 for his second tilt at July Cup glory – but outran his odds to finish third, beaten two lengths by the surprise winner No Half Measures.
Candy said: 'I thought it was a great run. He's got it in him, he just wants thing to go right.
'He's done that in the Champions Sprint and he's done it in the July Cup before. You always hope he's going to do it again, but then you look at the strength of the field he's up against and see what price he is and think 'oh dear, I've made a mistake!'.
'But he keeps delivering, hopefully he'll grab one one day and all being well we'll go to Haydock and then we'll go to Ascot. We won't go to the Prix Maurice de Gheest (at Deauville), I don't think he's a horse that wants running too often.
'A little bit softer ground would definitely help him.'
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North Wales Chronicle
27 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Kalpana seeking to join Juddmonte luminaries on King George roll of honour
Andrew Balding's charge rounded off her three-year-old campaign with Group One success over the course and distance on Champions Day and has not done much wrong in two starts since, finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then second in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland. Back on home soil, Kalpana is the only filly in a field of five, with Oisin Murphy deputising in the saddle for the suspended Colin Keane. Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: 'We're all set for Saturday, I think we were hoping for a bit more rain than has actually fallen, but it is what it is and I'm sure it'll be nice ground on the day. 'It's a top-class renewal, as you would expect for such a good race, but we're looking forward to partaking in it.' Juddmonte's Bluestocking found only Goliath too strong in last year's King George before going on to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the colours of the late Khalid Abdullah, who also claimed Ascot's midsummer highlight with Dancing Brave and superstar mare Enable, the latter on three occasions. Both of those equine greats also landed Europe's premier middle-distance contest, Enable doing so in successive years in 2017 and 2018, and a potential trip to Paris in early October has already been pencilled in for Kalpana ahead of what connections admit is a stern test this weekend. 'Rebel's Romance is such a legend of a horse and Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are obviously very, very talented,' Mahon added. 'We think going back up to a mile and a half will suit our filly and Andrew said she worked well on Wednesday morning and he's very happy with her, so we're hopeful that her first two runs have set her up nicely for this.' The top two in the market are Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, who renew rivalry after finishing first and second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June. While Calandagan has since broken his top-level duck in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Jan Brueghel has been kept fresh by Aidan O'Brien and is interestingly fitted with cheekpieces for the first time as he bids to provide his trainer with a fifth King George success. O'Brien, who also saddles the rank outsider and probable pacemaker Continuous, said: 'Jan Brueghel is good, everything has gone well since the last day. 'It will be an interesting race and the ground looks like it's going to be nice. 'Continuous rolls along usually and he'll go forward, but if someone else wants to go on (and make the running), he'll be happy too.' Francis Henri-Graffard's Calandagan has already shown his liking for Ascot, dominating his rivals in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting last summer before finishing a close second to Anmaat in October's Champion Stakes. Calandagan ➡️ @Ascot ❓ He got his Group 1 on Sunday and he could return to the UK for the King George later this month! — British Champions Day (@Champions_Day) July 2, 2025 Buoyed by his long-awaited first Group One success on home soil four weeks ago, connections are excited to be heading back to Berkshire. Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: 'The horse is in very good form, he took his win at Saint-Cloud very well. I spoke with Mickael Barzalona who rode him in his last piece of work and he's very happy with him. 'It's a small field, but he has to take on Jan Brueghel again and obviously Rebel's Romance was impressive last time out. 'He doesn't have much ground to make up on Jan Brueghel and although they were calling the ground good to soft at Epsom, we felt it was riding softer that day. He handles softer ground so we can't use that as an excuse, but I just think maybe his acceleration is a a bit more decisive on firmer ground. 'When it becomes a heavy-duty slugging match I'm not sure that's really his game, but when he can use his acceleration on good, fast ground I think that's when he's at his best.' The small but select field is completed by Rebel's Romance, who has won seven Group Ones on foreign soil and bids to break his top-level duck at home following his course-and-distance success in last month's Hardwicke Stakes. Speaking on the Godolphin website, trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race (finished third), and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around. 'He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.'
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Jim Delahunt's top horse racing tips for King George VI weekend at Ascot plus York, Doncaster and more
There are plenty of tips from one of the biggest weekends on Ascot's racing calendar INSIDE TRACK Jim Delahunt's top horse racing tips for King George VI weekend at Ascot plus York, Doncaster and more ANDREW BALDING has saddled more winners than anyone else in Britain this year. Now KALPANA can prove the jewel in the trainer's crown on Saturday. 3 Our man is tipping Kalpana for Ascot glory Credit: Alamy 3 Trainer Andrew Balding has enjoyed a hugely successful year Credit: PA 3 Our top tipster Jim Delahunt Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow A small field looks certain for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. And I'm backing the four-year-old to make a winning return to the scene of last October's Group 1 success. The winner of last weekend's Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton 12 months ago went on to land the Fillies' and Mares' on Ascot's Champions Day and both of her runs over the Curragh's ten furlongs have promised plenty this season. Epsom's Coronation Cup 1-2 Jan Breughel and Calandagan (winner since) dominate the market. But Kalpana's form in ten furlongs Group Ones behind Los Angeles (third) and Whirl (second) were both superb efforts and she looks certain to enjoy Saturday's return to a mile and a half (4.10). Oisin Murphy replaces suspended Colin Keane, but the jockey was on board for Kalpana's third to Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup before Keane (fourth on White Birch) then became Juddmonte's retained rider. His 2-3-3 on the mare includes last summer's course and distance third in the Ribblesdale. Soft ground looks unlikely, but this week's rain has ensured Ascot's officially good terrain should be fine for everyone and Juddmonte have committed the filly to contest a race which the owners' legendary Enable won three times in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Ian Williams' Aalto was a 40-1 second for this column in the Bunbury Cup two weeks ago. But I'm siding against the likely favourite for Saturday's International Stakes by backing Michael Dods' NORTHERN EXPRESS at 3.0. Racehorse owned by TikTok star Big John that costs £60 a share branded 'terrible' after beating one rival in three races Paul Mulrennan's mount has finished 441 in the last three runnings of this £150,000 handicap. Last year's success was secured off a mark of 102 and seven races without a win since have seen him tumble back down to Saturday's rating of 100. Each of my selection's last three outings at York, Ascot and Haydock have looked totally geared to Saturday's big race. And that middle effort to be seventh of 27 in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting was particularly meritorious with the International in mind. Dods' horses have hit a rich vein of summer form and silver fox Mulrennan was seen at his best in getting my Tuesday nap JM JHINGREE home at 10-1 at Musselburgh. Jim Crowley missed a trip to Ayr to ride new Stewards' Cup favourite Almeraq on Monday. But the jockey's at York for ELMONJED on Saturday (2.0) and William Haggas' sprinter can get off the mark for the season. ONE NIGHT THUNDER gets the nap vote in Doncaster's 4.20 today. And a second horse worth following in the likely soft conditions is handicap debutant LEGEND FOREVER at 4.55. Adrian Keatley's three-year-old tackles ten furlongs for the first time from a lowly opening mark of 70. This horse has shown up well enough in his three qualifying runs over seven furlongs to suggest the trainer is taking a leaf out of Sir Mark Prescott's playbook. The Keatley yard had a 28-1 first-time-out winner at Ayr on Monday after Kihavah went down with all guns blazing at Market Rasen last Saturday. And Legend Forever can defy a nine-week lay off with a first-time tongue tie applied for this step up in trip. Leopardstown has some unusually small fields for tonight's card, but QUIZ TEST was a half-length second in the closing stayers' handicap 12 months ago and the five-year-old can go one better under Shane Foley at 8.27. The jockey's been on board for five of the horse's 15 starts and Sean Byrne's runner is 5lbs lower than last year with a first-time tongue tie added to his cheekpieces from last month's fifth at Limerick. I FANCY Reciprocated could be a short price to complete an Ascot hat-trick tomorrow (2.25) but CAPE ASHIZURI was impressive on debut at Ayr and can win again. York and Sandown race in the evening and YAASER can boost the Almeraq Ayr form in the Knavesmire's 5.30 under the impressive Lauren Young. RACING LEAGUE gets back under way at Yarmouth tonight and at least there's a Scottish connection to one of 'our' runners in the opener at 5.40. Charlie Johnston's NEOMA has been a neck and a nose short of completing a hat-trick the last twice and a 4lbs rise should be fine under Joe Fanning. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘It all points to a win for this Shadwell stunner' – Templegate's 11-4 NAP is all class
Read on for our man's picks TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'It all points to a win for this Shadwell stunner' – Templegate's 11-4 NAP is all class Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE takes on a busy Saturday of racing confident of banging in some winners. Back a horse by clicking their odds below - and check out Sun Racing's recommended 69-1 double at Newbury. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up ENFJAAR (1.50 Newbury, nap) This son of Lope De Vega had more traffic problems than a London cabbie in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot last time. Jockey Jim Crowley was travelling sweetly passing the 2f pole but it quickly descended into a barging match with this five-year-old coming out much the worst on the rail. He did well to keep going for fourth and the long straight at Newbury will hopefully give him more time to see daylight. If he does, he can land this nice prize for Roger Varian as trip and ground are ideal. KIND OF BLUE (2.57 Newbury, nb) Will be hard to beat if showing anything like his best form. He finished last season with an impressive Group 1 win in the Champions Sprint at Ascot over this distance. That was on soft ground but he's fine with quicker conditions too. COURTLAND (3.12 Market Rasen, treble) Can score on debut for in-form trainer Mickey Bowen. He loves this right-handed track and is on a fair mark in the Summer Plate. ABERAMA GOLD (7.05 Newmarket, Lucky 15) Turned back the clock with a smart win at York last time out. The handicapper has been more than fair with a 2lb rise. Templegate's TV verdicts MARKET RASEN 2.05 BROUGHSHANE makes his debut for Mickey Bowen who won this race 12 months ago with a similar type. He showed some decent form when with Jonjo O'Neill and looks potentially well handicapped wearing blinkers for the first time. Mostly Sunny is consistent and went close in good company at Uttoxeter last time. He likes this trip and rider Harry Atkins takes a handy 6lb off the Skelton runner. Maghlaak wasn't disgraced in a Group 3 on the Flat at York last time and is coming down the weights. His class should take him a long way. Deploy To Spy didn't have a lot to beat at Worcester last month but he did it nicely enough. A 3lb rise in the weights is fair and the cheekpieces may eke out some improvement. Benvoy is interesting back after a break. He had 10 lengths in hand when winning a novice contest at Ascot in March and is open to plenty of improvement. 2.40 SIR GALAHAD can stretch his 100 per cent hurdling record to five in this hot handicap. The improving four-year-old has been doing everything right for Olly Murphy and looked a cut above when brushing aside a fair field at Worcester last time. With the form boosted since, this sharper test looks ideal and he's taken to land the prize. Last year's first and second Castel Gandolfo and Kihavah return for another crack. The former is a Market Rasen specialist and warmed up with a cosy win here last month, but Kihavah looks the one with more upside. He was unlucky in this race 12 months ago and shaped well behind top-class opposition at Ayr in April. With a likely strong pace, he should be finishing best. D Day Arvalenreeva is three from three this year and routed her rivals here in March. With course form and a fair weight, she's a major each-way player. Brave Knight and Moon Chime should both like this test and are on the shortlist. 3.12 COURTLAND can keep Mickey Bowen's fantastic form going in the Summer Plate. The Welsh wizard is running at near to 50 per cent winners in the past fortnight and this 10-year-old showed promise at Cartmel after a break last time. Here's my guide to the runners, with one the worst and five the best: HANG IN THERE 3 HANG on. Dropped below mark of 2024 Summer Cup win. Trip suits and can run well if things fall right. HORANTZAU D'AIRY 3 MILK D'Airy. Debut for new yard today. Has ability and well treated if repeating solid comeback second. RISKINTHEGROUND 3 NO Risk. Strong traveller who will enjoy a fast-run race and stays. Can place if fit enough. CHARLIE UBERALLES 2 DON'T call Uber. Two easy Cartmel wins but up in class and more pace pressure now. Needs to find more. THE FLIER BEGLEY 4 OFF to Flier. Loves it here and battled well to win Plate Trial. Reliable and looks a big place price. SURE TOUCH 4 LAND a Touch. Won this race last year and 1lb lower today. Been in poor form and cheekpieces go on but should show his true for. BHALOO 2 LOO break. Can make errors and pieces go on. Trip and track suit and from top yard but needs bit more. COURTLAND 5 PROMISED Land. Solid third behind Charlie Uberalles after long break. Well handicapped and loves Rasen. Big say for in-form yard. VINTAGE FIZZ 2 FIZZ flat. Neck second to The Flier Begley in the Trial. Solid, consistent but this is tougher. STATUARIO 3 SOLID Stat. Good win at Perth latestand stays well. Up fair 2lb in tougher race but looks in the mix. BALLYSAX HANK 4 SAX in tune. Lightly raced chaser from canny Irish yard. Good hurdles run latest. Unexposed and interesting with Cobden on board. MR SAXOBEAT 1 MISS Beat. One win from 32 jumps starts and looks short of this grade. DOYOUKNOWWHATIMEAN 1 DO not. Worcester winner before decent third latest but up in class here. No weight but needs more. CEANNDANA 3 CEAN machine. Back from break with promising third at Tipperary and stays. No shock if he runs well. SHAKEYATAILFEATHER 1 FEATHER light. Won twice last season and fair run at Hexham on comeback. Stays but will have to improve plenty at this level. NEWBURY 1.50 ENFJAAR should have finished a lot closer than fourth in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot. Jim Crowley had a double handful passing the 2f pole before meeting chronic traffic problems. Hopefully Newbury's long straight will give Jim a chance to find a bit more room as he's got a massive chance if he does. Okeechobee needed the run when fourth in a Kempton Listed on return in April. He's had another break since but has enough ability to figure. The ground may be a bit quick for Ancient Wisdom who has been gelded since his Coronation Cup fourth. Rashabar looks a bigger threat after his fourth in the St James's Palace provided he sees out this trip. 2.25 If WONDER LEGEND can bring his all-weather form to the turf he'll take a lot of stopping. He found the Ascot Gold Cup too much last time and this is much more his level as he showed when winning the Marathon handicap at Newcastle two runs ago. He stays well and looks a fair each-way price in a trappy race. Kyle Of Lochalsh was third in this last year off this mark and has been laid out for another crack. He has had a break since running at Southwell in April and could show the benefit of that. Wild Waves was a solid third in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot and is guaranteed to stay. He's a contender along with Artistic Star who found the Ascot Stakes a bit far last time out. 2.57 KIND OF BLUE wasn't happy on the all-weather at Newcastle last time and can show his true colours here. He signed off last season winning the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot so has lots of ability and all ground suits. Regional is the form horse after a cracking third in the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. That was over 5f but he's got smart form at this trip too and looks the big danger. Elite Status is always respected at this level although it's a little while since he showed his best. The first-time cheekpieces may help. Jarraaf didn't fire when fancied for the Wokingham last time and the blinkers go on. He's well up to this standard if finding his best form under William Buick. 3.30 ANT can deck 'em in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint. ANTHELIA (3.30 Newbury) showed great pace when winning her first three outings, including a Listed contest. She didn't enjoy six furlongs at Newmarket last time and trainer Rod Millman wisely drops her back. That can see her score again. Havana Hurricane was very impressive at Royal Ascot and looks a big threat at a skinny price. Here's my big-race guide: RAAKEB 4 RAA talent. Tough and consistent colt who's held his own in Group races. Drop to 5f not ideal but class brings him into the mix despite top weight. BIG FUN 2 FUN bagged. Showed good pace when winning last time but hasn't beaten a lot. Needs big step forward to figure. SANDS OF SPAIN 3 SANDS storm. Back-to-back wins at Carlisle and Newcastle read well and has pace. Big price from big yard. AMBISHIO 2 SHIO must go. Beaten a head in modest Beverley maiden last time but not a bad time. Needs a lot more at this level. LOGI BEAR 2 BEAR with him. Flopped in Windsor Castle but useful early form includes easy Newmarket win. Drop to 5f not sure to suit but yard likes this race. ARDISIA 1 ARD to fancy. Struggled in Listed at Ascot and needs big bounce-back. Well drawn but personal best required. HAVANA HURRICANE 4 HAV a go hero. Impressive Windsor Castle winner who has strong speed figures. Loves fast ground and sets the standard on all known form. Big player. KAMAKAMELEON 4 KAM fan. Ran huge when fifth in Windsor Castle at 80-1. Must settle better but no fluke about latest effort. Interesting outsider. MISTER MOET 1 MOET popped. Carlisle novice winner two back then outclassed in Haydock nursery. Needs more at this level. ALI SHUFFLE 4 ALI a knockout. Started season brightly with three wins and placed in French Group 3. Flopped at Deauville but quick ground suits and may bounce back. Has pace and experience. IRISH FIGHTER 2 KO Fighter. Won easily at Windsor last time but ninth in the Norfolk suggests limitations. Likely to find a few too sharp. GAGA MATE 1 GO Gaga. Catterick maiden winner who placed at Ffos Las latest. Never landed a blow in Windsor Castle. Up against far better form horses now. UNDER THE RADAR 1 OFF Radar. Thirsk winner in May but struggled since. Has speed but outclassed based on latest run at Carlisle. Unlikely to get involved. ANTHELIA 5 ANT has bite. Listed winner at Sandown in May and fifth in hot Newmarket contest latest when not enjoying 6f. Improving filly with more to come. Strong shout. ARTISTA 1 ART critic. Beverley maiden winner but well beaten in Group 2 latest. Likely outclassed again here and exposed compared to more progressive rivals. Hard to see her getting involved. SON OF SARABI 1 SORRY Son. Runner-up in nursery at York last time when just nabbed near the line. Good attitude but may lack class in a red-hot race. First-time cheekpieces go on too. CALL ME BY MY NAME 1 CALL it off. Placed twice in ordinary maidens and out of depth in the Windsor Castle at Royal Asco when 21st. Looks well short of this standard. COTAI BELLE 3 BELLE of the ball. Won last two including nursery at Haydock and looks on the upgrade. Drawn in mid-pack and worth a second look. May outrun her odds coming with a late rattle. CORNICHE GIRL 1 BAD Girl. Yet to win and hasn't beaten much in three outings. Form looks some way short of what's needed although she comes from Richard Hannon who loves this race. Difficult to fancy on current profile. OUR CODY 4 COOL Cody. Cost just three grand but is a Windsor maiden winner who made all in decent time. Plenty more to come and yard landed a Group 1 sprint last week. Could get loose on the lead. Danger to all. 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. 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