TEMPLEGATE tackles a sparkling 15-runner Clipper Stakes confident of finding the winner – and nailing the tricast.
Read on for our man’s runner-by-runner guide and find his big tip at the bottom plus his 1-2-3 prediction.
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Templegate’s Clipper Stakes runner-by-runner guide
ART POWER
ART in the picture. Landed the Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot in October over this trip on soft ground which means he carries a penalty. He clearly has plenty of class and he can do better than last year’s eighth when the ground was much too quick. More rain would bring him into the each-way picture for local trainer Tim Easterby.
COLD CASE
GONE Cold. Karl Burke’s flyer peaked first time out last season when winning a Group 3 at Ascot over this distance with plenty in hand. He didn’t manage to strike again after that with a disappointing run in the Sandy Lane at Haydock before getting back on track when fourth in a Deauville Group 1. He likes this trip and handles any ground but is likely to find a couple too good on comeback.
COMMANCHE FALLS
COMM off it. He stepped out of handicaps last season to land a nice Listed prize at The Curragh before backing that up at Newbury and here when taking Listed honours in September. He was beaten less than two lengths in this race 12 months ago and won’t mind what the ground does. He looked in need of the run at Newmarket on return. He’s at the veteran stage now and hasn’t won at this level so needs a bit more.
DILIGENT HARRY
HURRY up Harry. Was a well beaten sixth in this last season when going off much too quick and his best efforts have been down in class including when a narrow second in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury. He was in good form on the sand this winter, winning a couple of Listed contests before a personal best when third in a Dubai Group 1. Despite that he is still to win on turf and looks to be playing for a place at best.
FIVETHOUSANDTOONE
FIVE won’t star. Good all-weather handicapper who likes this trip and comes from in-form trainer Andrew Balding. He landed a decent race at Goodwood over this trip last season but is taking a sharp hike in grade here and will need another step forward.
KHAADEM
KHAA trouble. He was a shock 80-1 winner of the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last season but failed to back that up afterwards including when midfield in the Nunthorpe here. His best efforts have come on rattling fast ground and the drop in grade may help.
MARSHMAN
MARSH likes rain. Went off favourite for this 12 months ago when fifth and ran some other good races last season without getting his head in front. Any rain around will help as his best efforts have come with cut and he should be fitter for a couple of runs already this season. His very best would give him place claims.
MILL STREAM
MILL turning. He progressed last season, taking Listed and Group 3 honours in France on soft before coming up short at the highest level. He had a wind op over the winter and shaped well on comeback at HQ when second. He won’t be far away if building on that, especially if the ground eases.
MONTASSIB
SIB, Sib hooray! He clocked a fast time when ending last season with a big handicap win over course and distance. He proved that was no fluke when returning at Doncaster in March to take a Listed prize in style after picking his way through the field. He looks well up to this standard and has won on quick and slow ground which is a plus. He looks a major player.
SHOULDVEBEENARING
RING wrong. Losing run is building up but he’s run some good races in defeat including when second in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup. His best has come on quick ground which he may not get here and he has a poor run at Newmarket last time to bounce back from.
SPYCATCHER
SPY high. He went from winning a Thirsk Class 3 last April to a fantastic third in the Group 1 Champion Sprint at Ascot by October. His best has come over this trip or a bit further on soft ground and he’s right in the place picture if the ground comes right for him.
TIBER FLOW
GO with Flow. Won a Group 3 last season but wasn’t seen after July so it was positive to see him run well on comeback in good company at Newmarket last month. He likes this trip on decent ground and will be much fitter for this challenge. He goes well for Tom Marquand and looks overpriced.
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
SCALE the Heights. Has been a good second in both runs here and looked better than ever when beating a few of these in the Abernant at Newmarket on comeback. This trip is ideal and he goes on any ground. It’s still early days for Kevin Ryan’s flyer and there should be more to come. Major player.
AZURE BLUE
TRUE Blue. Won this race well last year but wasn’t seen again after a poor showing in the July Cup at Newmarket. That brought an end to her run of four wins in a row as she progressed through the ranks for sprint king trainer Michael Dods. She has run well fresh so the absence isn’t a major worry and she handles any ground. This is her best trip and she won’t be far away under Paul Mulrennan in a race we know she likes.
SWINGALONG
IN the Swing. She has won both her starts here and in hot races too — the Lowther as a two-year-old and the Group 3 Summer Stakes last season. She ended the campaign with a good fourth in the Champion Sprint at Ascot after running a cracker in the Haydock Sprint Cup. She needs decent ground and may need this run but has enough quality to figure.
Templegate’s tip and 1-2-3 prediction
MONTASSIB (3.15, nap) kicked off this season with a classy win at Doncaster when dancing through the field to win going away.
He landed a big handicap over course and distance last season and will be right there when it matters under Cieren Fallon.
His trainer William Haggas has another each-way shout with Tiber Flow while local lad Washington Heights did well last season and looks a big danger.
Swingalong has won both her starts here so is also respected — along with Azure Blue who also likes the Knavesmire.
1st Montassib
2nd Washington Heights
3 Swingalong
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