Betfred.com Temple Stakes betting and odds

Haydock Temple Stakes betting preview

The first sprint of the QIPCO British Champions Series provides Saturday’s feature race – the Betfred.com Temple Stakes, writes Mikey Mumford. The five furlong dash sees 12 runners head to post for the Group Two race at Haydock Park where Hungarian sprinter overdose heads the market. Last year’s winner Kingsgate Native is entered again by trainer Sir Michael Stoute and Robin Bastiman’s popular dual Nunthorpe Stakes winner Borderlescott will also contest the £80,000 purse.

Having won 15 of his 16 starts Overdose has clearly the best form on offer. He made a sound winning seasonal debut in Germany last month and has tasted success in Hungary, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. Trainer Jozef Roszival plans on taking Overdose to Royal Ascot to compete in the King’s Stand Stakes which suggests there is more to come. Certainly the one to beat on paper but at relatively short 9/4 forecast odds there has to be doubts about his ability to handle soft conditions. Yet to race on British soil, the six-year-old might not have it all his own way with proven Group One performers in opposition.

A dual Group One winner in his younger days, Kingsgate Native has struggled to hit top gear since his success here twelve months ago. The six-year-old gelding was behind both Markab and Borderlescott at Royal Ascot last year when only managing sixth despite being sent off market jolly. His form has dipped significantly and he was well behind Nunthorpe winner Sole Power at York last year. Ryan Moore takes the ride but Kingsgate Native must improve markedly if he is to repeat his 2010 success here. Jack Berry’s Mind Games is the only horse to have won consecutive Temple Stakes in 1995 and 1996.

Markab probably needed the run at York last week and connections will hope he will come on for that reappearance. He ended 2010 with victory in the Betfred Sprint Cup at this course and the slight drop in trip should not inconvenience him too much. Henry Candy’s yard is in relatively good form and everything looks set for a nice run at generous odds (15/2).

Nine-year-old Borderlescott isn’t getting any younger but Robin Bastiman’s consistent sort will prove a popular selection in the betting. Winner of two Nunthorpe’s in 2008 and 2009, he won a competitive Group Two at Goodwood last July and should give his running once again. Done most of his racing at five furlongs but probably vulnerable to an improver but great each way value all the same (10/1).

On recent form Tangerine Trees goes into the race in fine fettle. He went in at 18/1 at Newmarket three weeks ago and should handle the track here at Haydock too. Bryan Smart’s six-year-old has won six of his last eight starts (form only bettered by Overdose) and has the benefit of a run already this term. Firms list him at 8/1 and he has run well at bigger prices before (winning at 33/1 last year) so certainly one to upset the record.

An improved run at Newmarket last time finishing third behind subsequent winner Tangerine Trees was more like the form he displayed when winning the Nunthorpe at odds of 100/1. But Sole Power has yet to prove that success wasn’t just a freak result and looks up against it once more in this company at 12/1.

Jim Crowley rides Prohibit (14/1) who was another that needed the run at Newmarket last time. Prior to that, he had run some consistent races in defeat and scooped a 5f sprint at Doncaster last September with Rose Blossom well behind that day. Equally adept at five furlongs Robert Cowell’s runners are not to be taken lightly.

Hamish McGonagall for Tim Easterby’s yard is a likeable sort who won a relatively weak sprint at Musselburgh on his penultimate start. Difficult to assess if that form stands up but must improve against classier opposition. Could sneak in to the money for minor honours at 14/1.

Jim Best’s Stone of Folca (16/1) might attract some attention if he recaptures the form of his neck defeat to Zebedee at Goodwood last year. After a disappointing show in the Nunthorpe he won readily at massive odds against at Folkestone last month in a weak four runner affair. Not without a chance if he is fully tuned up.

When Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan combine they are to be feared but Rose Blossom doesn’t look one of their strongest participants. Beaten comprehensively by a few of these last year this 4-year-old filly is up against it taking on the boys and probably best watched on this occasion at 18/1.

Lightly raced colt New Planet is open to considerable improvement on his three career starts to date. Third behind Zebedee and Dinkum Diamond last time; he won his first two races at York and Pontefract respectively albeit in significantly weaker contests. Overlooked up in Grade.

Group Therapy (18/1) for David Barron finished a good second behind Borderlescott last year and has taken up the running before. Might do the same again before tiring and setting the race up for one of those at the head of the market.

A fascinating renewal which sees Overdose compete at a British racecourse for the first time and he could make it a winning one. But preference is for Markab who needed the run last time and should be a lot sharper because of it. Tangerine Trees is in good heart of late and should not be discounted, neither should Prohibit at a larger price.

By Mikey Mumford

Click here to view all free bets from online bookmakers