Hills sure it’ll be third time lucky for Battaash
When it comes to the jockey most likely to stop Dettori capturing the prized title of leading rider at the meeting once again, there is only one name he puts forward — that of fellow threetime champion jockey Ryan Moore.
He said: “I think it will be a lot tougher this year to win the leading jockey prize as I had a decent book of rides last year.
“Ryan Moore always sets the standard, as he is guaranteed four or five winners and you have to match him or get more. Aidan O’brien will be very strong and he has got Sir Michael Stoute behind him as well.
“Ascot has never let me down before and though it will be different, I’m very excited.”
CHARLIE Hills senses Battaash can lay his Ascot hoodoo to rest and show his true colours in the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting.
Battaash has yet to score at the Berkshire venue but has finished second in the last two runnings of the Group One dash over five furlongs. Only Blue Point has been superior on both occasions, and Godolphin’s ace has since been retired to stud.
It was a similar story for Battaash at York before the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned gelding smashed the course record there when winning the Nunthorpe Stakes in August.
Hills has been pleased with the six-year-old’s preparation.
“We’ve been pleased with him. His work has been nice, the same as ever,” said the Lambourn trainer. “As for the ground, I don’t think there’s too much rain to come before the race now, maybe a shower tomorrow. We’re happy enough with him.
“If you take Blue Point away he’d have won the race twice, and everyone would be saying he loved Ascot.
“York was a very special day, and he put paid to his critics there.”