TEMPLEGATE tackles Friday’s racing confident of banging in some winners on Oaks day at Epsom.
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EZELIYA (4.30 Epsom, nap)
She looked a class act when winning a Navan Group 3 on comeback and she has more to come for legendary trainer Dermot Weld.
BOLSTER (3.45 Epsom, nb)
He was impressive when scoring in testing conditions at Pontefract on comeback last month. He went from the front there and kept digging deep to score with something up his sleeve on debut for Karl Burke.
EMILY UPJOHN (3.10 Epsom, treble)
She can make the most of her fillies’ allowance and follow up last year’s win in this hot contest. She showed a real liking for this tricky track and the trip when beating an arguably stronger field 12 months ago. It’s a big chance for Kieran Shoemark to strike at Group 1 level and she doesn’t mind some give in the ground.
Templegate’s Epsom verdicts
2.00
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NEW CHARTER was a cracking second on debut at Newmarket 13 days ago and can go one better.
She travelled nicely and came off just second best to a potential star. She should have learned from that experience and Richard Hannon’s form has improved.
Megalithic wasn’t asked too many questions when third on debut at Salisbury. He handled the soft ground and will prefer this extra furlong. He’s a contender for in-form Ralph Beckett.
There’s every chance Teej A will handle Epsom given the way she scooted in at Chester last time.
She quickened up nicely and warrants this crack at a higher level. She needs to find more but can’t be discounted.
End Of Story has a penalty after winning on debut at Thirsk. That was over five furlongs but he wasn’t stopping and the beaten horses have come out and franked the form.
This is much tougher but he should improve from that debut.
Assertively didn’t like the quick ground after scoring on soft at Ripon and will prefer these conditions.
2.35
BOPEDRO was a little unlucky not to score in a red-hot contest at York earlier this month.
He had to weave his way through the field and finished strongly into third with the line coming too soon.
He’ll need a little luck but the slightly longer trip will help and he has dropped below his last winning mark. He looks a big price.
Dancing Magic likes to be up with the pace and was just pipped at Chester last time.
The handicapper has raised him just a pound for that excellent effort and trainer Roger Teal is in good nick.
Al Mubhir is fine with cut in the ground and was sixth in the York race behind the tip. He has crept up the weights but will be dangerous for William Haggas.
Koy Koy didn’t get much luck in running when beaten just over two lengths at Newmarket latest. This step up in trip is a major plus and William Buick takes over.
Beshtani has a strong record in France and has just been snapped up by current connections for a big fee. Watch for a market move on this UK debut.
Orbaan is hard to catch right but went close in this race 12 months ago and ran well at Ayr last time. He has an each-way chance.
3.10
EMILY UPJOHN can make the most of her fillies’ allowance and follow up last year’s win in this hot contest.
She showed a real liking for this tricky track and the trip when beating an arguably stronger field 12 months ago.
It’s a big chance for Kieran Shoemark to strike at Group 1 level and she doesn’t mind some give in the ground.
Luxembourg is stepped up in distance by Aidan O’Brien and he has some decent Group 1 form on his CV.
He ran well in the 2022 Arc on soft ground so won’t mind if there’s plenty of give. He needs his very best but could easily fill the runner-up spot.
Hamish deserves this crack in the highest class after rattling up five Group 3 wins in a row.
He’s a stayer but has enough pace for this trip and would come into this if Epsom is hit by a few heavy showers as he loves it soft.
Feed The Flame finished full of running when just held in a Longchamp Group 1 last month.
He has winning form over this trip and has relatively few miles on the clock. He’ll have to improve but that isn’t out of the question.
Time Lock came up short in the Champion Fillies And Mares’ at Ascot in October but ran well on comeback at Newmarket.
She will have to raise her game despite getting the fillies’ weight allowance.
3.45
BOLSTER was impressive when scoring in testing conditions at Pontefract on comeback last month.
He went from the front there and kept digging deep to score with something up his sleeve on debut for Karl Burke.
The handicapper has been fair with a 5lb rise in the weights and there’s more to come after just five starts.
I Still Have Faith came back from a break to be beaten in a photo at Nottingham last time. This longer trip should help and he looks dangerous.
City Streak enjoyed himself when winning at Chester earlier this month, getting up right on the lollipop.
He is best over this distance and a 3lb rise in the weights looks more than fair.
Liberty Lane didn’t fire in the Lincoln but bounced back in good style to score at Newmarket latest.
He is best over this distance and can figure, although he’ll need a bit more from his increased handicap mark.
King’s Code seemed to improve for this step up in distance when second at York. The winner looked better than a handicapper so that was a good effort.
Derry Lad came back to form when just over a length off the pace at Naas 12 days ago. He has no issue with this longer trip and has an each-way shout.
4.30
Read Templegate’s Epsom Oaks guide and 1-2-3 prediction here.
5.10
BALMACARA has been in flying form this season with back-to-back wins at Doncaster over this distance.
There was some cut in the ground each time and he looks capable of improvement.
Pandora’s Gift has been flying on the all-weather with four wins in a row.
She has been kept to six furlongs so far but hit the line strongly when scoring in Listed company at Chelmsford last time.
She has plenty of quality and will be a danger if translating her form to turf.
Zoum Zoum brings Group 3 form to the table after going close in the Greenham at Newbury last time over this trip.
He won a Listed race in France on soft ground so won’t mind if there’s more rain and he has every chance despite having to give weight away.
Native American ended last season with a fair sixth in a French Group 1 but was a little disappointing when held on comeback at Newmarket.
He may have needed that run but needs to find his best form quickly.
Evade has moved to Archie Watson from Andre Fabre after showing promise as a two-year-old.
He’s entitled to need this but the trip suits and a market move would be interesting.
5.40
DARKNESS was second in this 12 months ago and ran a lot better than fifth place suggests at Newmarket earlier this month.
He was coming with a decent run only to have the door slammed in his face. Trainer David O’Meara has his string in good nick and he’ll go close again.
Dark Thirty has been in fine form and he’s another who has been going well at HQ.
He was a winner there on comeback and matched that effort with a close third last time.
He is fine over this trip and goes on any ground. He’s back off an unchanged mark with every chance.
Mission To Moon was second here last season and was an easy enough winner at Goodwood on comeback.
He’s getting valuable weight for being a three-year-old and has a lot more to come.
Roger Varian’s hope looks a major danger. Spanish Star won this race 12 months ago and is 1lb lower in the weights today.
He has run well a couple of times over six furlongs this season but today’s trip suits a lot better.
Rhoscolyn is hit and miss but he wasn’t disgraced over this trip at Chester last time and some cut in the ground is ideal.
Templegate’s tips
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