Battaash Shaping Well for Glorious Goodwood

Trainer Charlie Hills, says stable star Battaash (Dark Angel) is in tip-top shape after his out-of-order unplaced run in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot where, trying to protect his title in the 5 furlong Group 1, the 7YO finished a disappointing fourth at the royal meeting behind rising sprint force Oxted (Mayson). Approaching next week’s assignment – he is attempting a fifth straight win at the Qatar Goodwood Festival – Hills is upbeat about his blazingly fast short-course speedster. According to racingtv.com, Hills revealed that Battaash was “leg-weary” at Royal Ascot, probably caused by a setback earlier this year. However, the trainer was satisfied with his last outing and is hoping to see a bounce-back in the King George Stakes, a competition he has dominated since 2017. Hills declared: "He had his first swinging canter since Ascot last Wednesday and we were all happy with him. We couldn't be happier than where he is at this stage ahead of Goodwood.” Battaash, who broke Dayjur’s track record at York, was crowned 2020 Cartier Sprinter of The Year.