Temple Stakes 2011

3.00 Haydock

betfred.com Temple Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £45,416

Pick: Kingsgate Native (win)

Markab: Career best after career best last season, winning the Sprint Cup (smashing track record in process) after several Group placed/ winning efforts; That form entitles him to serious respect but his 7lbs penalty might stop him again.

Borderlescott: Loveable veteran who outdid himself last season, coming third in the King’s Stand and winning a Group two in the Process; Shaped as well as ever when fifth in Palace House Stakes and can go close again.

Group Therapy: Improved a ton for joining the Noseda yard (now with David Barron), fairly bolting up in conditions race at Beverley before coming a close second to Triple Aspect at Sandown (decent event) and career best when second in Group two (decent efforts afterwards);Too keen after poor start when well beaten last time and more needed here.

Hamish McGonagall: Formerly useful/high-class handicapper who made jump into conditions/pattern company last season with useful efforts in Ireland; Shaped as well as ever on first could of starts but well held in 6f Group 2 latest; Should be happier back at best trip today but that still gives her mountain to climb.

Kingsgate Native: Top class when at peak form, a prime example being his win in this race last year; Didn’t match up to form for the rest of the year but still fourth in the July and Betfred Sprint Cup; Not easiest to predict but well capable of winning this.

Overdose: Sprung to prominence with a 10l win in an Italian Group 3 and a first past the post in the void Abbaye (well clear); Showed that he retained all ability after injury but poor temperament when sixth in German Group 2 (lost race at starting stalls); Demolished ordinary opposition on return at Hoppegarten and well capable of doing same to field here if visual evidence to be believed.

Prohibit: Has continued progression throughout winter in Dubai, taking valuable event by a head before respectable fifth in high class Al Quoz sprint; strong at the finish when close fourth in Longchamp Group 3 on Sunday, and if over that run, could have race set up.

Sole Power: Shock winner of Nunthorpe last year who showed promise when last seen, third in Place House Stakes; Does have ideal conditions today for a big run but looks held by a few of these.

Tangerine Trees: Continued his ascent up the sprinting ranks by making all to win Rous Stakes at Newmarket last year and bettered that when showing blistering speed to win Palace House Stakes at Newmarket last time; Underrated.

Rose Blossom: Always had the talent to put together big performances and showed flashes of that when fifth in Nunthorpe; Lost her race at start last time and needs to dominate to show best, so while not ruled out, has a tall order.

New Planet: Well thought of (subject of really strong support for winning debut) and took another step in right direction with game success in York listed event before third in Flying Childers; This a very tough return for him against elders.

Stone Of Folca: Showed promise for sprinting when twice occupying fourth place within the space of 3 days at Royal Ascot in June, and Molecomb second; Well beaten in Nunthorpe Stakes and will do well to make an impact here.

VERDICT: The do or die moment for star attraction and “Budapest Bullet” Overdose, and he’ll take all the beating if he’s as good as visual evidence shows. Hopefully he can deliver but this won’t be at all easy and KINGSGATE NATIVE will have a big say if at his best. Many can win this if at their best, but the biggest threat may be Tangerine Trees, who showed a blistering amount of pace when winning the Palace House Stakes. Markab still has a penalty to carry while Sole Power’s Nunthorpe win could still be all smoke and mirrors.