Reverence takes Temple

Reverence showed plenty of guts to return to winning ways with victory in the betfair.com Temple Stakes at Sandown.

The fast-improving sprinter showed his appreciation for a stiff finish and some cut in the ground when rallying in determined fashion to see off a series of challengers in the Group Two five-furlong prize.

Kevin Darley’s mount was staying on strongly at the finish to hold the late challenge of The Trader by a length and a quarter with Mecca’s Mate picking up black type back in third.

Among those to receive interference in running were The Tatling and Indian Maiden but there was nothing to be taken away from the winner, who will now head to Royal Ascot for the King’s Stand Stakes.

“I wasn’t that bothered about the ground tonight but I did think the stiff finish would suit him and he’s done it well,” said trainer Eric Alston.

“It was fast enough when he ran in the Palace House at Newmarket last time and Kevin said he’d have won in another 20 yards there but a bit of cut does help to make it a good test.

“He’s won it quite comfortably tonight and we will definitely go to Ascot now.”

Runner-up The Trader will also go for either the King’s Stand Stakes or the Golden Jubilee at the Royal meeting having returned to his best.

While third-home Mecca’s Mate could make a swift reappearance in a handicap at Epsom on Saturday off a handicap mark of 100 that would look fair on the strength of this performance.

The alternative, according to trainer David Barker, is a Group Three fillies-only event at the Curragh next Wednesday.