Battaash is a leading contender for Friday’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
Charlie Hills will do everything in his power to ensure Battaash (4/6 – Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes winner) is raring to go for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.
Hills’ charge produced a remarkable display in the King George Stakes at Goodwood last month to claim the big prize and now all eyes are set on the trip to Yorkshire.
A triumph in last season’s Prix de l’Abbaye also highlights Battaash’s calibre going into this highly-anticipated race on Friday.
Temperament has been an issue for the four-year-old in the past but Hills feels Battaash is in a good place ahead of his return for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, as he goes up against rival Blue Point (4/1 – Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes winner).
Hills said: “He’s drawn 14, which is fine, and we’ve been very pleased with him since Goodwood. He was impressive that day and did it really well.
“He had his last breeze on Tuesday morning and we were very happy with him.
“We were beaten by Blue Point at Royal Ascot – he is in there again – but a flat five furlongs will suit us more and we are really looking forward to running him.”
When asked if connections have any special plans for Battaash head of the race, Hills admitted they have thought the preparations through and are confident of a positive result.
He added: “I think we’ll saddle him in the stables and then take him across the track on the horsebox.
“He’s had plenty of racing since last year and he’s generally behaved well, to be fair.”
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Odds subject to change
