May 25 / 13.50 Haydock

13.50

Soft

Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £70887.5
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £13.70
  • Place: £3.60

Form: 518-85 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Course maiden winner who landed Beverley Listed race (5f, good) last September and was 1l fifth in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket three weeks ago (5f, good; behind three of these); has also run well on soft ground; has something to find today but trainer is a dab hand with sprinters and won this in 2016 and 2017 with improving 4yos; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(9)

12th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

14:00 Dundalk (AW)

Kerdos

9st 3lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

Won four for Clive Cox, including the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in 2024, his last victory; yet to hit those heights for this yard and has been soundly beaten on his last three starts; 0-2 on the AW but did run well here behind Valiant Force in February; blinkers replace cheekpieces worn last time.

16/1

11th

7

(17)

28th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

13:40 Curragh

Kerdos

9st 9lb

J: Jack Kearney

T: Stephen Thorne

High-class form for Clive Cox included a Group 2 win at Haydock in 2024; has failed to win since; last four runs for this stable not encouraging; mark sliding but needs to rediscover best; cheekpieces used for first time in Ireland.

12/1

6th

4

(5)

7th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

13:42 Navan

Kerdos

9st 11lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Stephen Thorne

High-class form for Clive Cox included a Group 2 win at Haydock in 2024; hasn't won since and last three runs for this stable not encouraging; mark sliding but needs to rediscover best; tongue tie tried now.

12/1

7/2

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 34144- D

Last run: 203 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who enjoyed tremendous campaign last season, winning first time up, on soft ground and the Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (5f, good to firm) in August; also finished third in this and was fine fourth at the Breeders' Cup when last seen; key player if fully tuned up on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(9)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Live In The Dream

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Adam West

Close second to Kerdos in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (soft) on seasonal debut; lesser efforts in races won by Believing and Makarova since, last time under change of tactics (normally a front-runner); peak performance remains his win in last year's Group 1 Nunthorpe at York (good to firm).

10/1

4th

5

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Live In The Dream

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

Front-runner who enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, the highlight his Group 1 Nunthorpe win at York (5f, good to firm); not quite at his best yet this season, but a close second in the Group 2 Temple at Haydock (5f, soft) was no disgrace and he stumbled leaving the stalls when a beaten favourite last time; tops the ratings and commands major respect.

2/1

14/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 3-3771 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
In first-time cheekpieces (retained) this 3yo showed improved form for 33-1 win in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good) three weeks ago in a bunched finish involving a few of these; went close in heavy-ground Group 2 last September; could be in the mix once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

10

(3)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

19:28 Newcastle (AW)

Seven Questions

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Robert Cowell

Capitalised on his drop in the weights when coming from off the pace to win at Goodwood (5f, good) last month; disappointed back at Goodwood (6f, soft) 19 days ago; stable has stronger claims elsewhere.

10/1

7th

2

(8)

7th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Goodwood

Seven Questions

9st 9lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Ended a two-year barren spell when getting up late in a 5f handicap here 16 days; 3lb higher mark to deal with but he has a Group 3 win on his record and conditions won't faze him; respected.

5/2

1st

5

(3)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

17:27 Goodwood

Seven Questions

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Robert Cowell

Acts on any ground; on a losing spell that goes back to Group 3 success two years ago but is on a very attractive mark and his Class 2 form this term includes a couple of respectable efforts; this combination of a drop in grade and assistance of Jamie Spencer (up for first time; regular jockey for the owner) may be the time to catch him.

7/2

4/1

Form: 19-204 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Mare who has won four Group races in Australia, the latest last October (5.5f, good); has won twice on soft ground and was very close fourth in Group 1 at Rosehill in March last time out; Australian sprinters have historically done extremely well in Britain; could play leading role under 3lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(8)

4th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Asfoora

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Henry Dwyer

Australian mare who has become less consistent with age but is very smart on her day, as three Group 1 wins on British/French soil attest; showed clear signs of a return to form last time when bidding to regain her King Charles III Stakes crown; top rated, back down in grade.

2/1

7th

13

(26)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Asfoora

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Henry Dwyer

Superb Australian mare who was produced to perfection to win this in 2024 (good to firm); her preparation didn't go well last year when only fifth but she later added two more Group 1 wins in the Nunthorpe at York and the Abbaye at Longchamp; well below best in two runs this year (without regular blinkers which now return with tongue-tie added) but the wet winter in Britain would have been a shock to her system and she's not at all ruled out.

8/1

12th

2

(5)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Asfoora

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Lemos De Souza

Carries a 5lb penalty today and she was down the field on her comeback at Newmarket three weeks ago; however, she may have needed that run and is entitled to respect having won two 5f Group 1s last season, namely the Nunthorpe at York (good to firm) and the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp (very soft).

6/1

Form: 1351-3 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Ran well in defeat in Group races last term before Listed fillies' win at Ayr in September (5f, good to soft; unraced on softer); returned with close third in Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket, behind Seven Questions and Vadream who had already run this year; open to improvement for trainer who won this with a 3yo filly last season; contender if handling conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

20th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

16:08 Ayr

Beautiful Diamond

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

3-3 at Ayr, all in Listed races including a dead-heat in this race in 2024; ran another fine race when third to classy stablemate Night Raider in the Group 2 Temple Stakes four weeks ago; obvious chance back down in grade and rain won't bother her.

11/8

3rd

9

(12)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Haydock

Beautiful Diamond

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: K R Burke

Three Listed wins, latest at Ayr (5.5f, soft) last September; returned with Listed third at Bath (5f, good) but well beaten in Longchamp Group 3 (5f, soft) since; fifth in this race in 2024; may again be vulnerable.

14/1

3rd

1

(1)

5th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

15:10 Bath

Beautiful Diamond

9st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Her three Listed wins have all come at Ayr, but she is fully effective elsewhere and ran right up to her best when a neck second at Ascot when last seen in October (5f, soft); can go well fresh and she is a leading contender despite her 3lb penalty.

2/1

5/1

Form: 91115- D

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Major improver last year after being gelded, winning two handicaps and a Listed race before close fifth of 18 in the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp (5f, good to soft), where denied a clear run; showed promise on testing ground earlier in career; has changed hands for £1,000,000 since last time (remains in same yard) and he's one to consider on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:33 Carlisle

Rogue Lightning

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Globetrotting gelding whose last win came in Qatar (6f, good) in February 2025 when Washington Heights was second; has run respectably on his two outings this season, fourth in French Group 3 (5f, soft) on latest; should be thereabouts under optimum conditions.

11/2

9th

5

(10)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Rogue Lightning

9st 8lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Tom Clover

Has shown very useful form on home soil and internationally, including a success in Qatar and close second in US Grade 2 this year; below par last time and faces a stiffer assignment on this return to British racing; gained last domestic win in 2023.

40/1

7th

8

(6)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Rogue Lightning

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

Acts on good to firm and good to soft; generally progressive 2023 campaign culminated in close fifth in the Group 1 Abbaye at Longchamp; best effort this term when second to Starlust at York last time; may resume his improvement with hood now reapplied (3-5 in this headgear); interesting.

20/1

OUR TIP

14/1

Form: 30-001 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won Group 3 at Sandown (5f, good) last July and third in Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh (5f, good to yielding) in September; back to best to defy top weight in Musselburgh handicap (5f, good to soft) latest and this C&D winner is not ruled out back up in grade, but he's unproven on soft/heavy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(2)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 3

16:02 Southwell (AW)

Equality

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charles Hills

Smart sprinter on his day; built on his return from a 510-day absence when fourth of six at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in December but he was slightly below that level at Newcastle (5f, AW) 39 days ago; now has his usual hood removed.

11/1

4th

2

(1)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Newcastle (AW)

Equality

8st 13lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

Smart sprinter on his day; absent for 510 days prior to his reappearance at Southwell in November; well beaten there but latest Wolverhampton fourth was a step back in the right direction; not discounted.

11/2

8th

4

(3)

6th Jul 2024

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 1

13:50 Sandown

Equality

9st 5lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charles Hills

In and out overall, but on a going day when winning this race last year (good ground) in emphatic fashion; also won Musselburgh handicap off top weight in March and has had possible excuses since (usual hood left off last time); could bounce back with the excellent Billy Loughnane a positive booking.

8/1

Form: 757-32 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Head second to Seven Questions in blanket finish to the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket (5f, good) three weeks ago; excelled on testing ground last season, winning Doncaster Listed race (6f, heavy) and the Palace House (5f, soft), and she's very much respected with conditions to suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(12)

11th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:50 Newmarket

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Fellowes

Has won and gone close in Group 3s (5f) on this track; seems to have lost some firepower this year but she wasn't far away in a 6f Listed race here in May nor was she disgraced in the Group 1 Flying Five in Ireland recently; might have a better chance than these terms suggest, at least for a place.

16/1

11th

13

(6)

14th Sep 2025

Yielding

0m 5f 0y

15:15 Curragh

Vadream

9st 3lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

On a long losing run, and now to 93 from the 107 mark she held when failing to make an impact in this event last season; in rear in the Temple Stakes won by Mgheera; down the field in the Wokingham and the Coral Golden Handicap.

66/1

19

(5)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Goodwood

Vadream

9st 1lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charlie Fellowes

Losing run stretches back over two years; happiest on slow ground; tailed off in the Wokingham six weeks ago and returning cheekpieces aren't enough to make her of interest.

28/1

Form: 61824- D BF

Last run: 225 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Best 2yo form came on soft ground, including when runner-up in Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster in September (5f; albeit no match for Big Evs); she could do without one of her slow starts and others have stronger form, but she's open to improvement in her 3yo campaign and not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:45 York

Flora Of Bermuda

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Won this on good to soft in 2024 and also close second in C&D Group 2 on good to firm last year; reappeared with Listed win at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) in May; eased off as if amiss (got upset in stalls) in Royal Ascot Group 1 since but turns out again three weeks later and will have a big say if back near her best.

7/2

18th

16

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Flora Of Bermuda

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Third in this race last year (good to firm) and also in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, good) in September; reappeared with Listed win at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) last month and that form has been franked by the runner-up Rosy Affair; each-way player.

16/1

1st

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:10 Newmarket

Flora Of Bermuda

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Group 3 winner in July 2024; campaigned mostly at Group 1 level since, making the frame on several occasions, most recently in the 2025 Sprint Cup at Haydock (6f, good) where she did well having met trouble; leading player back down in class.

7/4

Non-runners

Makarova

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £135.90
Straight Forecast £101.49
Tricast £1534.73
Trifecta £1106.90

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Vadream

RP RATINGS:

Live In The Dream

Daily Mirror:

Asfoora

D Express:

Flora Of Bermuda

POSTDATA:

Equality

Daily Record:

Asfoora

TOPSPEED:

Live In The Dream

NEWMARKET:

Vadream

The Times:

Vadream

Telegraph:

Vadream

The Guardian:

Vadream

Daily Mail:

Vadream

The Star:

Vadream