1.55
FOLLOW the Duke in this red-hot sprint.
DUKE OF FIRENZE may be 10 but he’s making good use of his reduced handicap mark.
His best effort of the campaign came when winning over course and distance in May. He travelled like a youngster and picked up nicely to win with a bit in hand.
His runs over this trip have largely been good since with an excellent effort at Doncaster and Glorious Goodwood.
Forget his outings over further as he needs this distance nowadays. He has copped what should be a handy draw and can give us a shout at long odds.
Dakota Gold was impressive when winning the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon at the weekend. That was over 6f but there should be lots of pace and he’s sure to be right there again.
Gunmetal was fancied for that race before the ground went too soft and he pulled out. He’s another who may prefer a bit further but has enough class to figure.
Justanotherbottle was hampered in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood so did well to finish fifth and this trip suits well.
Caspian Prince has held his own in Group races this term and won this race way back in 2015. He’s off a similar mark today and has every chance.
2.25
IT’S easy to make a case for PERSUASION.
He looked a potential star when winning on debut at Glorious Goodwood for Charles Hills.
He travelled powerfully over this trip and could have won by more than the half-length official margin. This is a fair hike in class but he looks capable of much more. Cobra Eye is another Goodwood winner who battled on well to strike and Frankie Dettori keeps the ride.
That was just his second run and he’s on the upgrade.
Vitalogy showed good signs for trainer Joseph O’Brien when scoring on debut at Naas in July. He had to be switched before finishing well over 6f so this longer trip should be ideal.
Valderomo stormed away from his rivals when getting off the mark at Doncaster on ratting ground. He’ll be a threat if handling these slower conditions.
Harpocrates was beaten less than two lengths in a Tipperary Listed contest last time. Aidan O’Brien has put blinkers on him for the first time and that could help him finish off his race better.
Ropey Guest has yet to win but has been holding his own in good company including when third at Ascot latest.
3.00
CONSTANTINOPLE can get back on the straight and narrow for Team Ballydoyle.
He was beaten a neck by Nayef Road in the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time. But that was only after wandering all over the shop as the tricky track took its toll. He earlier won well at The Curragh before a close second at Royal Ascot.
This more conventional surface can see the places reversed.
But it will be no easy task as Mark Johnston’s battler will fight right to the line. He shapes like a real stayer and a good run here would put him right in the St Leger picture.
All ground suits and SDS will try to make a bold bid.
Logician is improving fast and steps out of handicaps for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori. He won pulling a bus at Newbury last month and looks a massive threat.
Jalmoud hit traffic problems in the Gordon and is better judged on his excellent third to Japan in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris at Longchamp. A repeat of that would make him a player.
You can also make a case for Norway who was third in the Irish Derby. He was a pacemaker last time at Ascot but has a Listed win to his name so this level should suit.
Templegate's TV tips
- 1.55 York – Duke Of Firenze (Bet now)
- 2.25 York – Persuasion (Bet now)
- 3.00 York – Constantinople (Bet now)
- 3.35 York – Crystal Ocean (Bet now)
3.35
CRYSTAL OCEAN can show why he’s the top-rated horse on the planet. He clocked a personal best when pushing Enable all the way in the King George at Ascot last time.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute is a genius with older horses and he’s keeping this five-year-old in fine fettle as that neck defeat shows.
It was already a good season thanks to his convincing victory in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting. That was over this distance so dropping back isn’t an issue and he goes on any ground.
King Of Comedy could be the biggest threat on his first crack at this trip. He was a little unlucky not to win the St James’s Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting over a mile when too far off the pace.
Frankie Dettori takes over from Adam Kirby today and he’s clearly an improving three-year-old.
Similar comments apply to Japan who is fresh from his Group 1 success in the Grand Prix De Paris at Longchamp.
Before that he was an excellent third in the Derby and won the King Edward VII Stakes in fine style. The worry for him is dropping back as all his best form has been over further but he must go well.
Elarqam improved when winning a Group 2 over course and distance last month. This opposition is much stronger but he could hit the frame if he takes another step forward.
Circus Maximus has smart form over a mile but is bred to see out this distance. He pushed Too Darn Hot at Glorious Goodwood last time and could have more to come.
Source: Read Full Article