Temple Stakes: horseracing betting

This Group 2 5f race is one of the greats in the calendar, and yet the powers that be have moved it around more times than a steam fair. Click here for a free £25 to bet on the Temple Stakes with Blue Square Since 2004, it has been to Epsom and back to Sandown, and now Haydock, which already boasts the 6f Sprint Cup later in the season. It hardly seems logical, and Sandown have jettisoned it once more for the privilege of hosting the Channel 4 cameras. Still, politics is not the bettor's game, and all we really need to know is whether Dandy Man will be primed and ready for the task in hand? Godolphin have purchased the former Tracey Collins-trained speedster and the five-year-old's successes in the past have pretty much all been at 5f and on top of the ground. The lack of rain therefore will do him all the favours in the world and the 230-day lay-off is all that is against him. The Boys in Blue have struggled with their three-year-olds so far this season, but the older torch-bearers such as Folk Opera and Creachadoir have shown that Dandy Man will not have suffered the same shock as the youngsters when being transferred from a winter in warm Dubai. Dandy man's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor said on Godolphin's website yesterday: "Dandy Man is working well. He has shown us a lot of speed at home, as well as a good turn of foot. This race will suit him and he's ready to go. I would like to see a big run from him." Not a bad recommendation for a 7/2 shot. Big-race favouritism falls on another seasonal debutant, Fleeting Spirit. Jermey Noseda's filly beat the three-year-old Captain Gerrard twice last season, and Captain Gerrard looked mighty impressive when running off with the Palace House Stakes three weeks ago. Fleeting Spirit ran star filly Natagora close in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on her last start as well and over this shorter trip she is a worthy favourite. Noseda produced Sixties Icon to win at Goodwood on Thursday and his horses have been there or thereabouts in the last few weeks so she should go well. Former champion sprinter Reverence should not be touched with a barge-pole as we all know that he goes best on soft ground. He clearly likes it at Haydock, having won the Sprint Cup there, and his latest start, but surely on good to firm, on which he has run four times without a place, he has no chance. Both Borderlescott and Desert Lord will have their supporters, but the best of the rest looks Enticing, who enjoys a 3lbs pull with the principals. William Haggas's filly is a confirmed specialist over 5f and with the ground in her favour, she should run her race at 8/1. Verdict: 1pt win Dandy Man @ 7/2 Click here for a free £25 to bet on the Temple Stakes with Blue Square Blue Square, one of the leading online bookmakers is offering a FREE £25 Bet for Betting Choice users. Simply stake up to £25 and we will match your bet. Blue Square is a leading UK bookmaker offering a huge range of special bets and promotions.