DOUBLE HANDFUL

John Shaw’s racing betting column in association with

IN a recent survey, racegoers listed the two main reasons that deter them from visiting a racecourse. They are, the danger of witnessing a) a mass brawl or b) a Little Mix concert.

In the main, racing appears to be in rude health and, with the weather set fair this Bank Holiday weekend, today seems to be a day to visit a racecourse, expose one’s flesh to the sun, eat charred chicken and drink excessive amounts of booze. In my case, it’s just another day.

I’m looking forward to the Temple Stakes at Haydock, more specifically to see one of the fastest things on four legs, BATTAASH.

At Goodwood last season Britain’s highest-rated sprinter routed a King George Stakes field containing Profitable, Marsha and Take Cover, who finished second, third and fifth in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot.

It’s worth noting the winning time was only a couple of seconds off the course record and, given the ground was tacky and rain-softened, it really was quite a performance.

Battaash was even better in the Prix de l’abbaye when trouncing the opposition by six lengths. I’ve watched the replay of that race several times and Charlie Hills’s charge had the opposition flat to the boards while merely in cruising mode.

I have it on good authority that Battaash has been working splendidly at home — a big thanks to Google for that information.

Even though he has a penalty and the main target is undoubtedly Royal Ascot, this race carries decent prize money and looks the perfect season start for Battaash.

The price, around the 8-11 mark, doesn’t deter — although I’m surprised to see Take Cover as big as 14s.

A word of warning. I’ll be sticking my bet on Battaash at the very last minute as he has got nervous before the start (notably at York). Hopefully, those problems are in the past.