O’Brien leaves four in Temple Aidan O’Brien has left four horses in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes as he bids to break new ground by winning the Group Two for the first time at Haydock on Saturday. The Ballydoyle handler’s possibles include the five-year-old Washington DC, who was sixth in this race 12 months ago. Three-year-olds Actress, Declarationofpeace and Different League make up his quartet though the latter holds two others engagement on the same card. Last year’s Albany Stakes scorer, when she was trained in France, is also in the Sandy Lane Stakes and the Cecil Frail Stakes. Charlie Hills’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner Battaash is the star attraction among the 15 five-day confirmations. Michael Dods has warned Mabs Cross, winner of the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, might not run if conditions are too firm. The County Durham handler will discuss the issue with owner David Armstrong, who sponsors the Group Two heat over five furlongs, before making a decision. “I’ve got to speak to the owners. It’s the ground, we wouldn’t want it too quick,” said Dods. “Good, good to firm would be fine, but if it was any firmer than that I don’t know whether we’d run. “She’s come out of Newmarket well. Obviously it’s another step up in class but we would just have to see how she copes with it if she runs.” John Gosden has an interesting entry in the Godolphin-owned Dreamfield, who remains unbeaten in three starts after scoring at Ascot earlier this month after a 569-day absence. The William Jarvis-trained Mrs Gallagher, who defeated Mabs Cross at Bath last month, is in the mix. Completing the list are Doctor Sardonicus, Encore D’Or, Just Glamorous, Kachy, Muthmir, Take Cover and Havana Grey.
