Horse racing tips: ‘He’s rapidly improving with every run and Ryan Moore rides’ – Templegate’s York Ebor day one NAP

TEMPLEGATE tackles a blistering day one of the York Ebor festival confident of getting Sun Racing readers off to a fast start. Follow him in and back a horse simply by clicking their odds below. KIRCHNER (4.10 York, nap) Can continue his rapid progress for James Owen and take this valuable staying prize under Ryan Moore. The four-year-old has improved with each run since joining his new yard and produced his most convincing performance yet when readily brushing aside Ghaiyya over two miles at Ascot last month. He travelled strongly just behind the pace before quickening clear to score by four lengths with loads left in the tank. A 6lb rise looks manageable after that. MALTESE CROSS (3.00 York, nb) Gets the vote in a fascinating Great Voltigeur after proving his toughness and class at the highest level. William Haggas’s colt has improved with every start, following a narrow Lingfield Derby Trial success with an excellent second to Christmas Day in the big one at Epsom before going one better in the Grand Prix de Paris. That Longchamp victory showed his tremendous attitude. He had to squeeze through late and found plenty. This strong-staying son of Sea The Stars can progress again. HAFFNER (2.25 York, treble) Can take another step forward after an excellent effort in defeat at Goodwood. Aidan O’Brien’s colt looked smart when winning over 7f at Newmarket before finishing a half-length second in the Group 2 Vintage, keeping on from the front. Ryan Moore can get him settled and his proven stamina at the trip is a major asset. Templegate’s TV verdicts 1.50 Most read in Horse Racing LEXINGTON BLITZ can make the most of what should be an ideal low draw. Robert Cowell’s speedster has improved this season, winning smoothly at Goodwood before an excellent third in the Epsom Dash. Little went right when sixth at Goodwood latest – he missed the kick, stumbled and got stuck in traffic – yet he finished like a train. Back over his optimum 5f, he can go close. Corolla Point is thriving, after a series of solid efforts with victory at Hamilton and stall nine is workable. The likely burn-up should suit. Toca Madera is another major player from four. He rattled home despite trouble when fifth in the Stewards’ Cup. He looks well suited by this test. TOP HORSE RACING TRAVEL DEALS GET closer to the action with these top travel deals. Our travel partners have a range of trips for all budgets to see the world’s best horse racing. Check out these amazing deals – 🍺 Cheltenham Festival — Race tickets and night at one of the local hotels for 2027 — From £159 pp 🐴 Grand National — Ticket to next year’s action plus stay in a leading local hotel — From £189 pp 🏆Epsom Derby — Race ticket plus stay in 4-star hotel — From £179pp 👑 Royal Ascot — 1 night in a local hotel plus ticket to the races and celeb preview — From £159 pp 🏇 Glorious Goodwood — Ticket to the races and luxury hotel for 2027 festival — From £159 pp ⭐ PLUS Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe from £579pp and Dubai World Cup from £1,795pp *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Course specialist Air Force One has stall five and arrives after an excellent third here over 6f. He was third in this last year and remains in good heart. The Man was runner-up 12 months ago and is dangerously treated now, with stall three another positive. Naana’s Sparkle was touched off at Goodwood and enters calculations, while Stratusnine is thriving after winning here and finishing second in the Stewards’ Cup, but stall 16 is a headache. Trefor won this last year and arrives in winning form, though his berth in 20 makes a repeat tricky. 2.25 HAFFNER can take another step forward after an excellent effort in defeat at Goodwood. Aidan O’Brien’s colt looked smart when winning over 7f at Newmarket before finishing a half-length second in the Group 2 Vintage, keeping on from the front. Ryan Moore can get him settled and his proven stamina at the trip is a major asset. Trean looks a danger after bolting up at Galway. Paddy Twomey does not tilt at races like this without good reason and that dominant display suggested the colt could be capable of making the jump. Alfred Wallace is firmly in the picture. He bounced back from a disappointing Superlative effort to win a Listed race at Ascot, coming from well off the pace and won’t be far away. Confucius has yet to fulfil expectations but his Coventry sixth reads well, while unbeaten Gentle Hurricane could show more over this longer distance. 3.00 MALTESE CROSS gets the vote in a fascinating Great Voltigeur after proving his toughness and class at the highest level. William Haggas’s colt has improved with every start, following a narrow Lingfield Derby Trial success with an excellent second to Christmas Day in the big one at Epsom before going one better in the Grand Prix de Paris. That Longchamp victory showed his tremendous attitude. He had to squeeze through late and found plenty. This strong-staying son of Sea The Stars can progress again. Christmas Day sets a formidable standard after winning the Derby and chasing home Benvenuto Cellini in the Irish equivalent. He has already beaten the tip but softer ground would be ideal. Pierre Bonnard produced his best when finishing just behind Christmas Day at the Curragh and looks dangerous if building on that. Superior Choice is the unknown quantity. The Dubawi colt has rattled off three successive victories and quickened impressively to land a Hamilton Listed race. He can improve again and could upset them all. Galiyan is progressing too, having chased home Point Of Law in the Bahrain Trophy but needs another big step forward at this level. 3.35 OMBUDSMAN can see off rising star Constitution River in what could be the race of the week. The defending champion has been flawless this season, winning all three starts, and his demolition job in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot was arguably a career best. He travelled powerfully under William Buick off a strong gallop before sweeping clear and this return to York looks ideal. He was brilliant in this 12 months ago, good ground suits perfectly and the pacemakers should ensure the race is run to play to his strengths. Constitution River could well be the leading three-year-old in Europe. He is chasing a sixth straight win after taking the French Derby and then destroying his Eclipse rivals at Sandown. Receiving 7lb from Ombudsman makes this a genuine clash of generations. Item is two from two over this course and distance, having landed the Dante before returning to beat Pride Of Arras here last time, although this is much hotter. 4.10 KIRCHNER can continue his rapid progress for James Owen and take this valuable staying prize under Ryan Moore. The four-year-old has improved with each run since joining his new yard and produced his most convincing performance yet when readily brushing aside Ghaiyya over two miles at Ascot last month. He travelled strongly just behind the pace before quickening clear to score by four lengths with loads left in the tank. A 6lb rise looks manageable after that. He had already advertised his quality with an excellent second in the Northumberland Plate and has more to offer as a stayer. Small Fry rates a major danger after an unlucky second at Goodwood. He stayed on strongly once in the clear and this return to two miles should hold no fears. Shrimp Shady is another solid contender after winning at Newbury and finishing second at Ascot, although the handicapper may have caught up with him. Mountain Road did well to finish third from an unpromising position at Ascot, while Team Player remains reliable and was only narrowly denied at Newbury. Boatswain is less exposed at staying distances and has place claims. Valedictory looked a tricky ride at Goodwood but the blinkers may help. 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. 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