always in rear
soon crossed over from low draw to press leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, effort to chase winner, going well over 1f out, every chance final furlong, faded towards finish
in touch, effort and driven 2f out, soon one pace and no impression
in touch far rail, pushed along halfway, good headway to chase leaders entering final furlong, finished well
raced on outside in mid-division, no impression when bumped over 1f out
made virtually all, hard pressed and edged final furlong, just held on, all out
held up in rear, headway 2f out, switched left to chase winner inside final furlong, ran on strongly towards finish, just failed
held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ran on well towards finish, not reach leaders
pressed winner to over 1f out, weakened quickly
soon outpaced in rear, never on terms
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened inside final 2f
A smashing line-up for the Temple Stakes sees Nota Bene, Var, The Tatling, Balmont, Baltic King and Majestic Missile shortlisted, with the vote going to The Tatling. The Milton Bradley-trained selection has done connections proud, in particular over the last couple of seasons. A half-length runner-up to Var, who is now three pounds worse off at the weights, in last season's Prix de l'Abbaye is about as good as it gets in sprinting terms and, with a seasonal pipe-opener under his belt, he gets our vote. This is a step up in class for Nota Bene but, having broken the track record when scoring at Newbury last time, he is very much respected. Balmont keeps on threatening to be very useful in this sphere, and Baltic King comes here in good heart, and also showed that he was very much on an upward curve of improvement when beating Patavellian at Windsor last time. Majestic Missile is another potential improver, while Barry Hills adds intrigue to the race by running his one-time Guineas hope, Etlaala, and Celtic Mill, who was not far behind Baltic King at Windsor, might just get things his own way on the far side, as many of his speediest rivals, including Var, are drawn low. However, this just might allow The Tatling the scope to come and pick him off late in the day. It's no sure thing, but The Tatling gets the call in a very good renewal of the Temple Stakes.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Behind, outpaced from over 2f out, last of 11, 16l behind The Kiddykid (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) sft.
Var (USA) (9-0) Prominent, no extra final 2f, 10th of 14, 11l behind Silent Witness (9-0) at Sha Tin 5f Grp 1 gf in Dec.
The Tatling (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Outpaced early, some late headway, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Chineur (9-2) at Longchamp 5f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Pulled hard, held up, headway and one pace when slightly hampered inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Baltic King (9-1) at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf.
Balmont (USA) 10-3fav (9-4) Raced wide, held up, went prominent 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Quito (9-8) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Baltic King 3-1 (9-1) Held up, headway under pressure between horses over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf beating Patavellian (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Celtic Mill 12-1 (9-5) Bumped start, soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Baltic King (9-1) at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf.
Orientor 6-1 (9-2) Prominent towards far side, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 11, 4l behind The Kiddykid (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) sft.
Prince Aaron (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up, effort on outer over 2f, no impression when hampered over 1f out, 7th of 9, 5l behind Baltic King (9-1) at Windsor 6f lst stk (1) gf.
Talbot Avenue 11-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden and hung right from 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong, last of 8, 4 1/2l behind Boogie Street (9-3) at Goodwood 5f lst stk (1) gd.
Ringmoor Down 9-4fav (9-9) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kind (9-7) at Nottingham 6f lst fll stk (1) gf.
Etlaala 2-1fav (8-12) Held up in touch, pulled hard, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 8, 6l behind Democratic Deficit (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Nota Bene 10-11fav (8-11) Made virtually all, quickened over 1f out, easily, won at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gf beating Andronikos (9-1) by 3l, 7 ran.
Majestic Missile (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Rear, headway halfway, no extra from 1f out, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Chineur (9-2) at Longchamp 5f Grp 3 (1) sft.
