16:00 Haydock

Saturday 26 May 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:4518:15

Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 16:04 | Winning time: 57.36s

(11)

Battaash²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 123| DWS

10/11

Topped off a superb 2017 with Group 1 success in the Prix de l'Abbaye (5f, soft). Acts on fast ground, returns after wind surgery under a penalty but is very much the standard-bearer here and is likely to be very tough to beat.

Form: 3/11141-

(8)

Doctor Sardonicus⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: M Harley| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 102| D

66/1

2-8 on turf, where he has won at up to 7f, including on fast ground. Has proved a little better on the All Weather and although he arrives on the back of a Wolverhampton win, this is another level.

Form: 014-641

(7)

Encore d'Or^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 103| D

66/1

Beaten 4½L into eighth in this race last year when the ground was firm. Has won three times since, including in Listed company but form on turf not strong enough on the face of it.

Form: 002126

(1)

Just Glamorous³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: R Harris| OR: 104| CD

50/1

Enjoyed a good 2016 but drew a blank last year and we didn't see enough on his reappearance at Newbury to suggest that there will be a sudden change of fortune in a competitive event such as this.

Form: 00127-5

(3)

Kachy¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 113| BF| D

5/2

Beaten 2¾L into fifth in this last year, but has improved since then. Won a Listed event on the All Weather in the winter and was visually very impressive when routing his field at Chester last time. Can pick up some prize money.

Form: 02-1121

(5)

Muthmir^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 113| D

11/1

French Group 2 winner over this trip (good to soft) last season and ran with credit in the Group 1 King's Stand next time. Not at his best back in France on his recent reappearance, but each-way claims if he can come on for that run. Handles firm.

Form: 01443-4

(10)

Take Cover²¹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 111| CD

33/1

Super servant who was seventh (beaten 3¾L) in this last year and finished the season with a flourish, winning two Listed events and sandwiching a Group 3 success in-between. Bit more needed back at this level and has not won when fresh since 2012.

Form: 140111-

(2)

Washington Dc^b,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF| D

16/1

Won Listed and Group 3 events in Ireland last year on good/fast ground. Ran well in a Meydan Group 1 (6f, good) in March, but below that level back in Listed company on softer ground last time. Each-way claims if at his best.

Form: 1078-43

(9)

Mabs Cross²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: M Dods| OR: 105| CD

8/1

5f specialist who is still improving judged by her recent Newmarket Group 3 success on good ground (beat Havana Grey 1¾L). More needed again in her first attempt at this level, but no reason why she can't be competitive with conditions to suit.

Form: 1111-21

(6)

Havana Grey²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| BF| D

16/1

Group 3 winner last year, who also went close in this grade when beaten just ½L by Heartache (runs in 3.25) in the Flying Childers and in the Group 1 Prix Morny. Goes well on fast ground and can improve on a below par reappearance.

Form: 01122-5

(4)

Mrs Gallagher¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: W Jarvis| OR: 99| D

20/1

Has so far been found wanting at Group level, but back-to-back wins this year in Listed company suggest that she may yet have more improvement in her. Will need that to make an impact here.

Form: 1379-11

Forecasts

Battaash (10/11), Kachy (5/2), Mabs Cross (8/1), Muthmir (11/1), Washington Dc (16/1), Havana Grey (16/1), Mrs Gallagher (20/1), Take Cover (33/1), Just Glamorous (50/1), Doctor Sardonicus (66/1), Encore d'Or (66/1)

Although favourites have won only three of the last 10 renewals of this, this year's market leader BATTAASH looks a cut above his field if he returns in the same sort of form as he ended last season. Those looking to take him on may feel that he is vulnerable on his first run after wind surgery, but he has the best form in the field and if all is well then he should be tough to beat despite his penalty. Should he fail to fire then there will be a queue forming to hit the line first, with Muthmir, Kachy and Havana Grey perhaps the trio who will be heading up the chasing posse.