Armour Propre heads for Temple Stakes

Budding sprinter Amour Propre is set to warm up for Royal Ascot with a run at Haydock later this month, as long as the ground is suitable, following his win at Newmarket.

The three-year-old made an impressive reappearance with a smooth success over seasoned campaigners Hoh Hoh Hoh and Borderlescott in the Group Three contest over five furlongs on Saturday.

Now trainer Henry Candy is praying for fast ground at Haydock on May 23, so the Paris House colt can take his chance in the Group Two betfred.com Temple Stakes.

Then he will bid for Group One glory in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16.

“He’s come out of the race very well. I thought it was a remarkable performance,” said the Wantage handler.

“Borderlescott was let in very lightly without a penalty by nine days.

“If he had won a Group One after that he’d have carried an extra 8lb, so it was quite a thing for a three-year-old. He’s very well this morning.

“If the ground is fast he’ll go for the Temple Stakes next. He has to have fast ground and then Royal Ascot.”

Candy has trained several top sprinters over the years, including Kyllachy and Airwave, and already rates Amour Propre highly.

“They don’t come any quicker than that,” he added.

Bordlerscott, last summer’s Nunthorpe Stakes hero, is also on target for both races after satisfying his trainer Robin Bastiman on his seasonal debut.

“He’s fine, no problems. It was all right for his first run. I don’t think he was drawn on the right side,” said the Wetherby handler.

“The pace was on the far side and he was a bit on his own. I was pleased with him, but the winner is probably a very good horse.

“We’ll take him on again, we haven’t much choice. If everything goes right he’ll run in the Temple Stakes next then he’ll run at Royal Ascot. That’s his plan and we’ll see what happens then.

“If he doesn’t do anything in those he’ll have to go for lesser lights.

“We’ll stick to five furlongs he won’t be going over six again.”