Horse racing tips: ‘He's improving rapidly and looks a superstar' – Templegate's 10-3 Goodwood day three NAP

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

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TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's action from Glorious Goodwood confident of making it a day to remember.
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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
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
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