The Temple Stakes, a group two race run over 6 furlongs at Haydock racecourse,
is a little less competitive, at least numerically, than some of the
races we typically analyse. Indeed, the race has thrown up four
winning favourites in the last ten years and just one winner, Celtic
Mill (16/1) in 2005, at double-figure odds in that period.
However, the defection of ante post
favourite Sole Power has given this year’s renewal an open look and
there are one or two in the field that we think could belie generous
starting prices by running well.
Jack Dexter (20/1) hasn’t won
for 18 months and has done most of his winning over 6 furlongs, but,
with the going at Haydock already good to soft and patchy rain and
drizzle forecast for Thursday and Friday, he could have his ideal
conditions for the first time this season. He finished fifth of nine,
beaten 4 lengths, in this race last year, but was denied a clear run
throughout the final furlong on that occasion and would certainly
have finished much closer with a clear passage. Helpfully, he’s
also 8lb better off with the winner this time, so coming here off a
narrow defeat in the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes, over 6 furlongs, at
York ten days ago, he looks monstrously overpriced.
Justice Day (16/1) could finish
only eleventh of fifteen, beaten 5½ lengths, but it’s interesting
to note that his best recent form has been over 5 furlongs, rather
than 6, so the return to the minimum trip could show him in better
light. He has 1¼ lengths to find with Goldream on their running in
the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month, but has done
most of his winning with cut in the ground, so should be better
suited to the prevailing underfoot conditions than Robert Cowell’s
six-year-old.
So there you have it, Mesdames et
Messieurs. A little shorter and sweeter than usual this week, but our
two against the field in the Temple Stakes are, in order of
preference, Jack Dexter (20/1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill)
and Justice Day (16/1 with William Hill). Cheer on these or your selections on Saturday 23rd at 3:45 . Good luck!