15:30 Haydock

Saturday 27 May 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:1016:45

Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 58.7s

(8)

Acklam Express⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: N Tinkler| OR: 104| D

50/1

Not won since his 2-y-o days but capable of a big show in a top sprint like this when it all clicks (third in last year's King's Stand). Has needed his first run back after racing in Dubai, however.

Form: 934-450

(9)

Annaf¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 109| BF| D

16/1

Smart performer on the AW, completing hat-trick in listed company at Lingfield in February, and ran his best race yet on turf in the Duke of York 10 days ago. Has a race like this in him.

Form: 5-11134

(1)

Equality^h1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Hanagan| T: C Hills| OR: 103| CD

40/1

Won handicaps at Windsor and over C&D last season. Floundered on the soft ground in the Palace House on return and could show more here although he has a bit to find with the principals. Hood tried.

Form: 00213-0

(13)

Equilateral⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: C Hills| OR: 105| D

20/1

Has done his winning in Meydan in recent years and ran well on a rare start over 6f there when last seen. Dettori up (has won under him in the past) and capable of a bold showing under favourable conditions.

Form: 387-884

(11)

Existent^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 100| D

50/1

Improved for the return to sprinting for this yard last year, landing back-to-back AW handicaps early doors and a close second in the Palace House. Should have come on for his return in that race after 8 months off and can be closer to form here.

Form: 04906-7

(14)

Live In The Dream²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Sean Kirrane| T: A West| OR: 109| D

7/1

Big improver this year, landing back-to-back 5f handicaps before running a screamer in the Palace House 3 weeks ago, headed only late on and faring much the best of these. Quicker ground upped further in class here but good chance on form with a repeat.

Form: 296-112

(3)

Mitbaahy²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

14/1

Big improver last season, his third win coming in Newbury Group 3 in September. No show in the Abbaye final start but no surprise to see him take another step up this term. Leading claims.

Form: 112018-

(4)

Raasel²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 104| CD

16/1

Continued his remarkable rise up the sprinting ranks last year with victory in C&D listed contest, Sandown Group 3 and a close second in the King George. Fair return back on these shores in the Palace House and can win another race or 2 this summer.

Form: 878-504

(6)

Twilight Calls²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Connor Beasley| T: H Candy| OR: 108| BF| D

11/2

Improved again last term, finishing runner-up in this (unlucky) and the King's Stand. Possibly unsuited by the soft ground on his first run for 11 months in the Palace House 3 weeks ago and probably worth another chance under a new rider.

Form: 6/1522-9

(2)

Happy Romance³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 106| D

9/1

Plenty of good runs in big sprints (second in Meydan Group 1 in 2022) and didn't need to be at her best to resume winning ways in 5f Bath listed contest 5 weeks ago. This is tougher.

Form: 857-461

(5)

Royal Aclaim²⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: N Callan| T: J Tate| OR: 107| BF| D

5/1

Won her first 3 starts from May 2021 (impressive in York listed race last July) and ran well from unfavourable draw in Longchamp Group 3 when last seen in September. Could do better again this year with just 5 runs under her belt. Strong contender.

Form: 1/1163-

(7)

The Platinum Queen²⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 111| D

11/2

Smart 2-y-o for Richard Fahey, winning 4 times, including the Prix de L'Abbaye. 1.2 million guineas purchase for new connections and this could be a good starting point if she's trained on.

Form: 112210-

(10)

Dramatised²⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: W Buick| T: K R Burke| OR: 108| D

4/1

Useful 2-y-o, running out a decisive winner of the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. Ran a cracker in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint final start and gets weight all round on her return. One to consider.

Form: 1152-

Non-Runners

(12)

Sandbeck²¹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: E Bethell J: Callum Rodriguez

Forecasts

Dramatised (4/1), Royal Aclaim (5/1), Twilight Calls (11/2), The Platinum Queen (11/2), Live In The Dream (7/1), Happy Romance (9/1), Mitbaahy (14/1), Annaf (16/1), Raasel (16/1), Equilateral (20/1), Equality (40/1), Existent (50/1), Acklam Express (50/1), Sandbeck (66/1)

A cracking-looking renewal of the Temple Stakes, with ROYAL ACLAIM getting the vote. She quickly made up into a smart sprinter last term and looked to be still on the up when last seen at Longchamp. With just 5 runs under her belt she could make the breakthrough at the top level this year. Strong cases can be made for plenty of others, particularly Live In The Dream, Mitbaahy, Twilight Calls and the 3-y-o fillies The Platinum Queen and Dramatised.