The Golden Gates Stakes was first introduced in 2020 this is a 10F handicap for three-year-olds only rated 0-105. All three winners so far have come from double-figure draws in 13 or 14-runner fields, although at least one horse each year has made the frame from the lower half of the draw. Check out my free Royal Ascot tips for the penultimate race of the festival.
Local Dynasty
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Adam Kirby
Starts out in handicaps off of a high mark of 100. Not seen since finishing third of six in Chester listed contest at their May meeting. On jockey booking appears to be the Charlie Appleby second string.
Londoner
Trainer: A P O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
A second string of Aiden O’Brien’s if jockey bookings are to be believed. Making his handicap debut and appears to have more than enough weight.
Liberty Lane
Trainer: K R Burke
Jockey: Clifford Lee
Kept good company on both starts this season and enters handicaps now off of a mark of 100. 7th of 11 in Dante Stakes at York on the latest effort and this is only his fourth-ever start.
Laafi
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Soft ground Nottingham maiden winner last Autumn. Re-appeared in Lingfield Derby trial, run on the all-weather this season finishing 4th of 8 ( beaten 7 1/2L) to Godolphin’s Military Order. Handicap debut here.
Obelix
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Gelded since last seen and making his handicap debut here for top connections. Not seen since 8th in Newcastle listed race in early April and has questions to answer now.
Canute
Trainer: A P O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Looked good when very well supported in winning a handicap over today’s trip at Navan earlier this month. 11lb higher here and needs to step forward once more which is more than possible for connections who have been having a great week so far.
Like A Tiger
Trainer: James Ferguson
Jockey: James McDonald
Looked good when winning a handicap over this trip at Newmarket racecourse back in April but was a tad disappointing since in listed contest at the same track. Back in handicap company and not out of it.
Lose Your Wad
Trainer: Charles Hills
Jockey: Jim Crowley
All weather Kempton winner in April. Soundly beaten on handicap debut at Epsom’s Derby meeting and looks badly handicapped on that run.
Cuban Dawn
Trainer: J S Bolger
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Interesting Irish challenger who makes his handicap debut here following three runs in his native country. Hard to assess so watch the market for this one.
James McHenry
Trainer: Edward Bethell
Jockey: Callum Rodriguez
Easy ground winner at Ripon and Haydock this spring prior to a credible 6th in Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap at Haydock won by Covey. May found today’s lively ground against him.
Coco Jack
Trainer: George Scott
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Not disgraced on the last two outings especially last time when 1 1/4L runner-up to the re-opposing Lion Of War and is now 3lb better off. Handicapper may just about have him but seems a very big price.
Have Secret
Trainer: Richard Fahey
Jockey: Oisin Orr
Dual winner as a two-year-old and ran a blinder on his re-appearance (his first since being gelded) when 4th in the London Cup won by Bertinelli at Newbury. That form looks solid and despite a 2lb rise can be competitive.
Knockbrex
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Plenty of form lines with this chestnut have worked out well especially his 1 3/4L second to Gregory at Haydock in April and his fourth in a competitive York handicap won by Chesspiece. His mark of 90 looks workable and can run a nice race.
First Sight
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Winner of Kempton maiden and Lingfield novice stakes on the all-weather back in January and is making his handicap debut here on his first racecourse start on turf.
Lion Of War
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Overcame a poor run round to score from Coco Jack in the Edinburgh Gold Cup at Musselburgh three weeks ago. Should confirm that form and a 4lb rise is not enough to stop him from running well from a wide draw.
Burdett Road
Trainer: Michael Bell
Jockey: Neill Callan
Raised 8lb for winning at Newbury (10F, good to firm) by 4 3/4L earlier this month. Conditions are the same for this race so can’t be totally dismissed.
Ziryab (Reserve)
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
First reserve. Winner of Leicester maiden from Theatre Honours who won in the week to frank the form. Makes his handicap debut here and would be a definite player if getting into the race.
Theme Park (Reserve)
Trainer: Nigel Tinkler
Jockey: Rowan Scott
Second reserve. Good effort last time when chasing home Quantum Impact over a mile at York and trying a new trip today.
Double March (Reserve)
Trainer: Sean Woods
Jockey: David Probert
Course and distance winner on the soft ground back in May. Risen 7lb for that win and would have a small each-way chance if getting a run here.
Golden Gates Stakes Betting Tips
Yet another competitive handicap with my shortlist comprising of Lion Of War who did well to well last time from a poor trip, Knockbrex whose recent form has been boosted by good runs from Gregory and Chesspiece in Wednesday’s Queen’s Vase and the Aiden O’Brien recent Navan winner Canute. A tough call but I’ll take Knockbrex to score from Lion Of War.
1. Knockbrex @ 5/1 e/w with William Hill promo code (Paying top 5 places at 1/5 odds)
2. Lion Of War @ 8/1 e/w with Bet365 bonus code
3. Canute @ 7/2 with William Hill (Paying top 5 places at 1/5 odds)
All odds are available at the time of writing.
