Bell banking on Spicy Marg proving too hot to handle
However, Bell believes her chances were hindered by being in season and is confident a different horse will be on show on the July Course.
Asked if she can bounce back, Bell said: 'Very much so. She's trained well since Ascot where there were a couple of mitigating circumstances, so hopefully she can show what she's capable of on Friday.
'She came back in season. I don't think it's anything definitive or if there's any records of if horses do or don't under-perform in season, but I think most horses seem to in my experience.
'She carried her tail very high immediately after the race, so I'm hoping that is the reason because we still believe she's a very nice filly.
'(Fifth-placed) Staya's subsequent win is a positive. Our filly was stuck on the wing and hit the front too early. A lot of things went against us.
'We're hoping for a kind draw in the middle of the field, get a lead and then it's up to her to show what we think she's capable of. She likes playing at home you could say.'
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Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot
Read on for our man's selections TEMPLEGATE'S TIPS Horse racing tips: 'He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. The big race of the day is the King George from Ascot at 4.10pm - back a horse by clicking their odds below and check out this 92-1 each-way double we think has a chance of landing. SWORD (3.00 Ascot, nap) Looks sharp in the big £150,000 International Handicap. He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. The bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. CALANDAGAN (4.10 Ascot, nb) He has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Read on for my King George 1-2-3 prediction. ALMAQAM (2.40 York, treble) He looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Templegate's TV verdicts ASCOT 1.40 FITZELLA ran a cracker in the Albany here when she was much the best of the high-drawn horses and those up with the pace early. That was just her third run, and the daughter of Too Darn Hot already boasts a dominant Haydock maiden win, where she powered clear. The Dubawi filly is sister to Breeders' Cup hero Space Blues so is bred to be top class. She could improve significantly. Bella Lyra also brings Listed form to the table, having gone down narrowly in a strong Newmarket contest. Her smooth Windsor win before that was eye-catching and Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Amberia and Argentine Tango are closely tied in with Bella Lyra and have place claims. 2.20 JANCIS ran a stormer last time out in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, finishing fifth behind top-class Whirl and staying on nicely. She already has a Group 3 success on her CV from last season and dropping back to a mile holds no fears. Royal Dress is a big player after a dominant Listed win at Pontefract and she's shown her best over this distance. All ground suits and she won't be far away. Chantilly Lace brings strong Royal Ascot form from the Coronation where she still looked green after just three runs. The fact she was in that race shows what Ralph Beckett thinks of her and this should be easier. Cajole was just a length away in a Sandown Listed race last time and likes quick ground. The booking of William Buick for the Gosdens takes the eye. Lou Lou's Gift needed the run at Chelmsford after a year off and could nick a place. 3.00 SWORD looks sharp in the £150,000 International Handicap (3.00 Ascot). He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. Akkadian Thunder, Aalto and Kodi Lion look the biggest dangers. Here's my big-race guide and rating out of five, with one the worst and five the best: ZOUM ZOUM 2 ZOUM raider. Listed second earlier this season but faded in the Wokingham and stamina a worry over this trip in a strongly-run race. CITY HOUSE 1 SIN City. Tidy Bahrain record but poor UK form and needs cheekpieces to work wonders. ARRAY 3 RAY of hope. Group 2 win last season on soft but form has dipped a little. Stays and may do better in hcap. NORTHERN EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS delivery. Won this last year and shaped well at Haydock last time. Solid chance from 2lb lower. GOLDEN MIND 2 MIND games. Consistent in early season but poor in the Wokingham last time. Good claimer on but needs more. GALERON 3 ON the hunt. Well handicapped on past Group form and shaped better than result last time. Place say. AKKADIAN THUNDER 4 THUNDER clap. Excellent second in the Buckingham Palace and no luck last time. Can produce another late surge and hit the frame. OLIVER SHOW 2 NO Show. Three AW wins last year and close second in the Lincoln before a poor run ehre latest. Needs best. YORKSHIRE 3 YORK talk. Fair run in Buckingham Palace and 1lb lower now. Likes it quick and can't be ignored. FRESH 3 GET Fresh. Won this in 2022 off 3lb higher and fitter for his comeback at Newcastle. Veteran but in place hunt. CERULEAN BAY 2 NAY Bay. In and out this year and below form in big handicaps. Needs more from this pretty lofty mark. NOBLE TRUTH 2 TRUTH or dare. Group winner in his prime but out of sorts this season and difficult to fancy despite falling handicap mark. BILLYJOH 3 GO Joh. Running well in major handicaps and Bunbury Cup third reads well so place claims again if pace collapses. KODI LION 4 LION roars. Impressive in a big field at Haydock and has good C&D form. Had excuses last time and should go close. QAZAQ 3 ZAQ attack. Cracking AW record and some promise over this trip at HQ last time. Can do better. AALTO 4 AALTO play for. Stormed home when second in Bunbury Cup and runs off same mark. Trip suits and William Buick takes over. LORD BERTIE 2 LORD help him. Has run well here before but recent form is poor and this looks tough. TWO TRIBES 2 TWO much. Long losing run but promise over this trip at HQ latest. This is tougher. CLASSIC 3 HAS Class. Ran well to land nice prize at Sandown last time over a mile. Drop in trip not ideal but a repeat could see him place. PALS BATTALION 1 NO Punter's Pal. Won on AW in spring but turf efforts have been poor this season. Hard to fancy. AL AMEEN 1 AL pass. Useful AW form and best over this trip but has sights raised here. SWORD 5 MIGHTY Sword. Bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. 3.35 BOPEDRO is a consistent performer at this level and he ran another massive race when less than a length away at York last time. His last Ascot run saw him go close in the Royal Hunt Cup so this straight mile is right up his street. He has plenty of weight but should be right there. Bullet Point sets the standard after his second in the Hunt Cup on top of three wins. A 3lb rise is fair and he'll go close for William Haggas albeit at a fairly skinny price. Teroomm met with real traffic problems in the Buckingham Palace here last time but had been in fine form earlier and could easily bounce back. All-weather winner Cosi Bello went close on his turf debut at Chester and is another in the mix along with Supido who ran well in the Britannia. 4.10 CALANDAGAN has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Jan Breughel is the one to fear again given he comes here fresher having not run since Epsom. He is a strong stayer but it's interesting to see Aidan O'Brien put cheekpieces on him today which should sharpen him up. It should be another good battle between the pair. Rebel's Romance is proven at this level and will be no pushover, but may just the legs of his younger rivals. Kalpana is a smashing filly. She's an Ascot Group 1 on her CV and gets weight, but she'll still need to find more to shine in this company. My 1-2-3 is: 1st Calandagan 2nd Jan Brueghel 3rd Rebel's Romance YORK 2.00 ALZAHIR can keep his fantastic winning run going. He brought up the hat-trick well in a big field at Ascot last time and can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights. He will like this test and goes on any ground. There's every chance of the four-timer. Plenty of others lurk with chances. Elmonjed went close at Windsor and is still on a fair mark, while Strike Red, often the bridesmaid, gets conditions to suit and is weighted to go close. Jubilee Walk ran a cracker behind Alzahir at Chester on return and should come on for that, especially with a more prominent ride. Brooklyn Nine Nine is progressive and stayed on strongly to win last time – he's unexposed at this level and won't mind the ground. And don't give up on Korker, who returns to his favourite track. 2.40 ALMAQAM looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Stanhope Gardens was a respectable fifth in the Derby when he didn't seem to stay 1m4f after travelling well. Dropping in trip looks a wise move and he's another who handles slowish ground. Green Impact was sixth in the Irish Derby latest after winning a Listed contest around this trip. He has enough pace to be competitive for Jessica Harrington. Bay City Roller is proven in this grade and just about stayed this far in France last time so can't be ignored. 3.20 COPPER KNIGHT has a solid York record and the 11-year-old has looked up to the task this season in winning twice before going close here last time out. He's scored off marks 20lb higher than this in his prime and has enough boot left to strike here for Tim Easterby. He goes on any ground and his middle draw gives him options. Bona Fortuna has been knocking on the door over this trip and is only 2lb higher than his last win. He doesn't mind a bit of juice underfoot. 2022 winner Birkenhead went close at Ripon last time and is capable of holding on for a place if blasting off as usual with trainer Paul Midgley in decent nick. Fortunate Star is in flying form having won at Haydock before going close at Donny latest. He should still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip. Looking For Lynda is out of sorts but enjoys York and could hit the frame at tasty odds. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Leader Live
7 hours ago
- Leader Live
Kieran Shoemark eager to seize Almaqam opportunity
The 29-year-old jockey will finally get to ride the Lope De Vega colt after missing out on a potential link-up when he was suspended for the four-year-old's Brigadier Gerard Stakes success at Sandown in May. That form has been franked by the length-and-three-quarter second Ombudsman, who has subsequently landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and narrowly went down by a neck in the Eclipse. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 Almaqam is the odds-on market leader for the Group Two contest and Shoemark is thrilled to have the opportunity on a horse he describes as the 'real deal'. 'I'm really looking forward to riding him and I thought he was really good the last time we saw him at Sandown,' he said. 'I know it's been a little while since we've seen him, but that has solely been down to the drying ground and it looks like he should get some easier conditions on Saturday and it's great to get the ride on him. 'He looks very exciting and we all know the form of Ombudsman has stacked up well, so he looks the real deal this year. 'I got the call to ride Almaqam in the Prix d'Ispahan, but there were a few complications as I received a suspension for my ride on Luther in the French 2000 Guineas. 'Ed was umming and ahhing over whether to run Almaqam in that and when Sosie was declared he decided not to and headed to Sandown, where I was suspended so I couldn't ride and Oisin (Murphy) picked up the ride. He's not available this time as he's riding in the King George so things have worked out and it's good to finally be united with him and hope things go well on Saturday. 'He's the best horse at Ed's and I've been riding a lot for Ed and riding winners and when you build up that association, you always want to be riding the better horses in the yard. 'I had a breeze on him the other morning and he felt great. He's extremely uncomplicated and you can see that in his way of racing and he looks very straightforward and it's really exciting.' Bay City Roller hopes to make a breakthrough as a three-year-old after two runner-up finishes in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud this season. George Scott is excited by the New Bay colt, who capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Champagne Stakes on St Leger day, and admitted his training ultimately forced his hand to move forward at the Knavesmire. 'I feel like he deserves to run in this race and I have been conscious to not run him with firm in the going description,' the Eve Lodge Stables trainer said. 'But I now feel like if we don't take our chance on good ground, then we could end up not running all summer. 'He really has had an amazing preparation for this race and there really will be no excuses for him. 'We will give him some leeway as it is his first time against older horses and only second start at a mile and a quarter. You would expect he has got another 18 months running in these races against these types of horses and I'm sure he's bound to acclimatise as he gets older and stronger. 'But in terms of how you want a horse to train, he's been training perfectly and has given me no negative signs, so we're looking forward to it. 'It will be fascinating to see him up against the horses representing the English and Irish Derby form and see where he lies amongst the Classic generation. 'Obviously then as well there is this wonderful older horse in Almaqam at the head of the market, who is arguably one of the best older horses in Europe, so we're cautiously optimistic and it's going to be really interesting.' Stanhope Gardens, fifth in the English Derby, lines up for Ralph Beckett, while Jessica Harrington has decided to head to York instead of the King George at Ascot with Green Impact, who was sixth in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby. The Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad has course and distance credentials, Royal Champion goes for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey's Ecureuil Secret completes the seven-runner field.
Powys County Times
9 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Scott confident Staya can go the distance at Ascot
Staya takes the 'natural next step' in returning to Ascot for the Sodexo Live! Princess Margaret Stakes. An impressive winner at Yarmouth on debut, George Scott's talented daughter of Havana Grey was not beaten far when fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot before returning to winning ways when obliging favourite-backers in Sandown's Listed Dragon Stakes earlier this month. She now steps up to six furlongs as she returns to Group company and Scott said: 'I thought this was the natural next step for her, back up in grade and she proved she enjoyed the track at Royal Ascot when she was a bit green and just rolled around a bit under pressure. 'She's given us every indication she's a filly who wants to go an extra furlong, she's a filly who loves to drop her head early and relax rather than be an out-and-out speedball. 'She's got a great attitude and the stallion really seems to breed that into his progeny. She's quite unique as she's quite bolshy and strong-minded, but at the same time really willing in her work and she's definitely got a little bit of swag about her. 'We're looking forward to seeing how she acquits herself and she's been training beautifully since the Dragon, but it's really up to her now.' Ahead of Staya at Royal Ascot was Charlie Clover's Flowerhead, who outran huge odds of 100-1 to finish first of those on her side of the track and second to Aidan O'Brien's True Love. She is another stepping up in trip on her return to the Berkshire track, with connections hopeful she can excel at her new distance. 'If her Queen Mary form is anything to go on, if she gets the trip, I expect her to be competitive,' said Clover. 'It's obviously her first run at six furlongs, but the Queen Mary suggested it would suit and the jockey was very keen to try it as well. We've since tried her at home over that trip and the data was very promising. 'Course form plays a factor and she ran very well there, so it definitely helped persuade us towards this race and to go back to Ascot.' Jack Channon's Sukanya and James Tate's Daneh Of Dandy both take their chance at a higher level after winning well on debut, with the latter trying to follow in the footsteps of 2019 winner Under The Stars by following up a minor success at Ripon in this Group Three event. 'It looks a shot in the dark at this stage, although we have done this before and like our last winner of this, Under The Stars, she won a novice at Ripon,' explained Tate. 'Yes, it's a big ask and she is very much unproven. We hadn't really revved her up at all before her first start and usually when they win first time out but are as green as she was, they can take a real step forward and that is the hope despite it being an unknown.' Midnight Tango finished second in Newmarket's Empress Stakes last month, with Richard Hughes' Bella Lyra and David Loughnane's Amberia not far away in third and fourth on the July course and also representing that smart piece of Listed form. Hugo Palmer's Albany Stakes fourth Fitzella will bid to go a few places better over the same course and distance after winner Venetian Sun advertised the form in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, while Eddie and Patrick Harty's Irish raider Arugam Bay rounds off the field of 10, with Dance To The Music a non-runner.
