Battaash holds the class edge
HAVANA GREY bounced back to form with a resilient win at The Curragh in Group Two company and could prove the biggest adversary to BATTAASH, who bids to win the King George Qatar Stakes for the second year in succession.
Although beaten at Royal Ascot in the King’s Stand Stakes, Battaash was far from unbowed with only Blue Point too strong. The form of that race has taken one or two hits since, which is disconcerting for those thinking of supporting the selection at thin odds.
But he does appear to carry a clear class edge in this field and his draw in the middle of the track should ensure favourable ground.
Havana Grey was impressive in the Molecomb Stakes 12 months ago and again in Ireland last time. He has four lengths to make up on Battaash on their running in the Temple Stakes in May but looks capable of finishing a lot closer today.
In the Unibet Golden Mile Handicap, luck in running will play a major part, and ORIGINAL CHOICE is a sporting nap to defy a wider draw than ideal and go two better than he managed on Tuesday.
The selection ran a blinder to chase home progressive stablemate Alfarris in the opening race of the meeting — especially as that 10 furlong trip is likely to prove beyond his optimum. In the circumstances, it was a fine run and he should find the return to a mile an ideal scenario.
The only negatives are the drying ground and a draw which could leave him hostage to fortune, but the excellent James Doyle will hopefully make the best of a wide berth and his mount can run well again. There is always a lengthy shortlist for a race of this nature and last year’s winner Master The World and Third Time Lucky are others to appeal.
Michael Stoute has won the last two runnings of the Bombay Sapphire Glorious Stakes with Poet’s Word and Kings Fete and MIRAGE
DANCER has bright prospects of completing a treble.