Khaadem set to join Hills’ top sprinters

CHARLIE HILLS has made it his business to target some of racing’s premier sprints in recent years and (Newmarket, 3.35) could add his name to an illustrious roll-call today. Muhaarar gave the English handler a first July Cup winner in 2015 before becoming the only three-year-old sprinter to win four Group One races in a single campaign, while the legendary speedball Battaash has won the Nunthorpe Stakes and the King’s Stand Stakes in recent campaigns to add to his trainer’s impressive record. Khaadem is yet to reach those heights but there have been flashes of brilliance, not least in the Stewards’ Cup last summer which he turned into a rout. He ran close to a career best in the Diamond Jubilee at Ascot last month behind winner Hello Youmzain and third-home Sceptical. The selection looked to have every chance that day before fading late on and I am hopeful a switch to the July Course, a track where he has been successful in the past, may see the Dark Angel colt reverse the placings with his old adversaries. Stall one could be a blessing or a curse but the close presence of possible front-runner Shine So Bright may give Jim Crowley something to aim at with Khaadem.

(Ascot, nap, 3.50) can be a law unto himself and probably needs a race to fall apart late on but he may enjoy trailblazers Ornate and National Anthem being close by.