Temple Stakes 2010

3.05 Haydock
betfred.com Temple Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £56,770

Pick: Borderlescott (win), Total Gallery (e/w)

Total Gallery: Did all his good work towards the end of last season, his biggest win coming in Prix L’Abbaye and running a very good race with the world’s best in Hong Kong when last seen; Gave the impression that it was race – fitness and not penalty that impacted him most when sixth in the Place House last time and must be closer for that run today.

Benbaun: Admirably tough and speed front runner over 5f (only just behind Borderlescott in Nunthorpe) and looked just as good as ever when coming second to Marchan’d Dor giving away 6lbs; If he comes here in that from he will take a major hand but that was only 6 days ago.

Blue Jack: Won 4 times last year for William Muir and gave impression that switch to Dascombe yard may even have improved him judged on impressive win (looked group sprinter in waiting); Confirmed that promise when he came home late and fast in Place House Stakes and while he should go well again, more is needed.

Borderlescott: Never run a bad race, and proved himself better than ever last year when campaigned mainly at this trip, winning the Nunthorpe and placed in Temple and the Abbaye; Favoured by weights (didn’t get run behind Total Gallery in L’Abbaye); Needed the run when behind Equiano and must be given good chance here.

Equiano: Came up well short at Group 1 level last year after finishing second in Abernant Stakes (which he won this year); He looked back to best when landing Place House Stakes last time and must be respected although he will have more on his hands today with Benabun gunning for the lead and Bordelrescott and Total Gallery coming on for the reappearance.

Kingsgate Native; Leapt onto the sprinting scene with fantastic juvenile career that included wins in the Nunthorpe and then a 2nd in the L’Abbye at the back end of the season; Was bitterly disappointing in the King’s Stand in his reappearance but improved a ton off that to then land the Golden Jubilee, before decent efforts in the July Cup and Nunthorpe; No show on reappearance but brilliant when landing Audi Stakes; Interesting that he has been gelded but has been badly beaten on reappearance run for the last 2 seasons.

Spin Cycle: Had some smart juvenile form, on which he improved to win with at Musslebrugh in May; Hasn’t exactly had things go his way since and although he ran well towards the end of last season, this looks beyond him even if improving from his seventh in the Palace House Stakes.

Wi Dud: First success since 2006 when winning minor event at Nottingham in April; Bombed out at Naas last time, showing his quirky side and has a lot on.

Look Busy: Won this race last year when edging out Borderlescott (Wi Dud Third) but this year’s renewal is much stronger; Not too much wrong with her Chester run (seemed to get checked when making challenge) but seemed to lose form after winning this last year.

VERDICT: A top class renewal of this Group 2, with 6 Group 1 winners. If you look at recent from, the place to start is probably Equiano, who looks back to something like his best and more having had a wind operation. He will have more on his plate again though, with both TOTAL GALLERY and BORDERLESCOTT likely to be fitter now following that. Both should go close here. Benbaun’s effort last week was every encouraging having to give 6lbs to a very good sprinter and while he can be expected to take a big hand at more favourable weight being a fitter horse but this is only 6 days after that effort. Kingsgate Native should also hold a good chance on his Audi Stakes but he was behind both Benbaun and Borderlescott in the Nunthorpe and has needed his seasonal run badly on both the past 2 seasons.