The crack sprinter has won the last two editions of the King George Stakes despite showing signs of nerves at other courses
Sometimes in horse racing a trainer just has to stick with what works, even if logic suggests it should not. That is the situation in which Charlie Hills finds himself as he prepares to send Battaash to Glorious Goodwood next week, where the crack sprinter will try to become the first horse to win the King George Stakes three times.
For all his speed, Battaash has so far been unable to win at either Ascot or York but he is unbeaten in two visits to Goodwood. Asked what makes the Sussex track ideal for the horse, Hills said yesterday: “I don’t know. I would have thought it would be the worst place because it’s not the easiest lead-up.”
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Bath 2.00 Uncertain Smile 2.30 Fanzone 3.00 Devils Roc 3.30 Street Jester 4.00 Storm Melody 4.30 Canal Rocks 5.00 Bader
Catterick 2.10 Frost At Midnight 2.40 Gold Venture 3.10 Ambyfaeirvine (nap) 3.40 Ollivander 4.10 Timetodock 4.40 Chickenfortea 5.10 Mr Greenlight 5.45 Calliope
Lingfield 2.20 Savitar 2.50 Sharp Operator 3.20 Zuba 3.50 Nkosikazi 4.20 Fashion Free 4.50 Sweet Sixteen 5.20 Betsey Trotter
Leicester 5.40 Chetan 6.10 Real Smooth 6.40 Izvestia 7.15 Volcanic Sky 7.45 Swiss Chill 8.20 Perfect Grace 8.50 Alicia Darcy
Sandown 6.00 Grange Walk 6.30 Poets Dance 7.05 Han Solo Berger 7.35 Moraawed 8.10 Motawaj 8.40 Machine Learner (nb)