Bank on Battaash at Goodwood

Charlie Hills’ speedster goes for fourth straight win

BATTAASH is impossible to oppose as he goes for a fourth successive victory in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood today.

Charlie Hills’ speedster has made three previous visits to the big meeting

– and each has resulted in Group Two glory in this five-furlong heat, with the six-year-old the only threetimes winner in the race’s near 110-year history.

Battaash clearly thrives on the Downs and he arrives hot on the heels of his impressive King’s Stand Stakes win at Royal Ascot.

After chasing home Blue Point in two previous renewals, Battaash gained his just rewards in Berkshire last month, making all to dispatch his rivals with the minimum of fuss and proving he is every bit as good as last year.

Frankie Dettori and Jessica

Harrington teamed up to great effect with Alpine Star at Royal Ascot, and they can repeat the trick with VALERIA

MESSALINA in the Saint Clair Oak

Tree Stakes.

She cut little ice on her seasonal bow in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but came good in style when switched back to Group Three company and seven furlongs last time at Cork.

Valeria Messalina looked to have taken a step forward for her Classic outing, staying on really well to hold off a decent yardstick in Unforgetable by half a length.

She probably has a little bit to find with a couple of rivals, but Valeria Messalina looks to be on the upgrade.

MY OBERON can make a swift leap up the ladder to lift the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes.

Fifth in a Newmarket novice on his racecourse bow in June, he looked very green but put the education to good use when sauntering home by six lengths at York subsequently.

He still looked a bit inexperienced, but his class told in the end and he looked all over the type of colt to make up into a Group-race performer, with further than the mile he faces here likely to be within his scope.

SELECTIONS: GOODWOOD: 1.10 Cepheus, 1.45 VALERIA MESSALINA (NAP), 2.15 My Oberon, 2.45 Prompting, 3.15 Battaash, 3.45 Communique, 4.20 Rooster, 4.55 First Lott.

LINGFIELD: 4.15 Quaint, 4.50 Go Greta, 5.25 Full Marks, 5.55 Equisential, 6.25 Radetsky, 6.55 Tony’s Rocket, 7.25 Savitar, 7.55 Whisper Not, 8.25 Capricorn Prince.

PONTEFRACT: 12.25 Chica Bonita, 12.55 Humid, 1.25 Kindly, 1.55 Little Ted, 2.25 Sudona, 2.55 Frankenstella, 3.25 Dream With Me, 3.55 Hammy End.

DOUBLE: Valeria Messalina and Battaash.