One of two Group 2s at Haydock this Saturday, the Temple Stakes is a 5f dash from start to finish. It prepares plenty of horses who may compete at either of the Group 1 sprints at Royal Ascot.
Joe Napier has previewed everything about the race below. He opts from an improving five-year-old to come out on top.
2026 Temple Stakes Runners
Australian mare Asfoora continues her Royal Ascot preparations. Now that she has a run under her belt, she should be more dangerous but the only day that matters is next month. She is avoidable for betting purposes here even though she may prove her class.
Night Raider finally delivered on long-held promise in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes. Six of today’s rivals are reopposing from that day and he may well beat most again. At the very least he should give a bold bid from the front.
Frost At Dawn and Jm Jungle both have solid claims to potentially reverse that form though. Both were drawn high, which proved a disadvantage and the former peaked this time last year, including when runner-up in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. Jm Jungle maintained steady improvement throughout 2025, and his Newmarket fourth suggested he may not have stopped yet.
Getreadytorumble and Shagraan are solid, sonsistent perforemers, but Jakajaro looks more interesting and progressive. The five-year-old has really improved over 5f this term having previously found the trip too sharp. His trainer looked to have unlocked something when he blitzed his rivals at York last week off a mark of 100. He is more than ready for Group races now.
Beauitful Diamond and Mgheera are not in strong enough form at present. However, younger filly First Instinct could yet have more to offer. Group 1 hero American Affair, though, is another out of sorts.
Veteran Khaadem and three-year-old Argentine Tango look outclassed in this line-up.
2026 Temple Stakes Racecard
Awaiting racecard…
Temple Stakes Trends 2026
Looking for some key trends for the big race? Here are four worth noting ahead of Haydock’s Temple Stakes.
- Four of the last seven favourites have won the race
- However, the last two winners have gone off at double-figure prices
- Every winner bar one since 2016 has been aged 4 or 5
- Only two horses aged 6 or above have won since 2008
2026 Temple Stakes Tips
Night Raider should go well again after finally breaking his duck on turf at Newmarket. However, Jakajaro was strikingly impressive at York in handicap company when winning from a wide draw. Robert Cowell looks to have unlocked something in him over this trip and he can remain unbeaten this season. The mare Frost At Dawn is feared as she may now come to he boil. She was second in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes last term, but that race’s winner, American Affair was a bit out of sorts behind Night Raider on return.
- Jakajaro
- Frost At Dawn
- Night Raider
FAQ
When and where is the Temple Stakes?
The Temple Stakes will take place at Haydock racecourse on Saturday 23 May, 2026 at 3.30pm.
How can I watch the Temple Stakes on Saturday?
The Temple Stakes is live on ITV Racing at 3.30pm on Saturday.
When were the Temple Stakes tips published?
The tips for the Temple Stakes were published at 1.50pm on Thursday 21 May.
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