BATTAASH IS BACK ON TRACK
LEADING sprinter Battaash could make his seasonal return at Haydock on Saturday in the Group Two Temple Stakes.
There were 16 declared at the latest confirmation stage. The Charlie Hills-trained sprinter won four of his five starts last season, graduating from Listed company to finish the campaign with success in the Group One Prix de l’Abbaye at Chantilly.
He will have to concede weight to all his rivals which includes ninelength Chester scorer, Kachy, who was fifth 12 months ago and is trained by Tom Dascombe.
He has something to find at the weights and so does hat-trick seeking Mrs Gallagher from the Newmarket yard of Willie Jarvis.
Aidan O’Brien, who is yet to win the race, has four possibles.
Both Different League and Actress finished behind Mrs Gallagher last time and are up against it while Declarationofpeace was last of 11 on his York reappearance.
It may fall to Washington DC to fly the O’Brien flag.
He was sixth last year but has the ability and has been placed at this level and above.
Earlier on the card is the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes.
There were just 11 left at the latest declaration stage and James Tate has impressive Ascot winner, Invincible Army, primed.
“He’s ready for Haydock, he’s going there and we’re very excited,” said Tate.
“From who else I hear is going there, it looks like it will be a hell of a race.
“We’d like to think he’s improving still and he’s proved he can handle all ground.”
John Gosden’s progressive Emblazoned, who hacked up at Yarmouth, could take the step up in class.
Clive Cox has entered the flying filly, Heartache.
She had fantastic first season, winning three of her four starts.
That included the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and finishing her campaign with victory in the Flying Childers.
Karl Burke’s Prix Morny scorer Unfortunately, Richard Fahey’s Gimcrack hero Sands Of Mali and the Brian Meehan-trained Barraquero, off the track since winning the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last August, are also engaged.
The Derby trials are over and one horse stands head and shoulders above anything else and that is 2,000 Guineas hero, Saxon Warrior.
It seems that the bookies are going to take a hammering if he delivers a week on Saturday.
William Hill have reported that he is the best backed ante-post horse in the history of the Investec Derby.
Saxon Warrior heads the market at 8-11 with his nearest challenger, Roaring Lion on the drift and is 7-1 from 6-1.
“There is the odd bet for an outsider but nine of every ten bets has been for Saxon Warrior,” said William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams.