Battaash can bash his rivals in Temple Stakes

Hot favourite Battaash can take all the plaudits on Saturday when he makes his eagerly awaited return to action in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock.

The Charlie Hills-trained fouryear-old is undoubtddedly the star attraction and cannot be opposed when he graces the track for the first time since romping home in the Prix de l’abbaye at Chantilly.

He is sure to be a short price for this Group Two – but he has plenty in hand on official ratings and should show his rivals a clean pair of heels ahead of the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A better betting proposition is Sands Of Mali, whose credentials for the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting will be tested in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes.

Richard Fahey’s colt can follow up his Group Three victory at Chantilly on his seasonal reappearance last month.

The Gimcrack winner looked firmly back on track on France, after things did not work out in the Middle Park Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup on his last two starts in 2018.

Euchen Glen can gain compensation in the Amix Ready Mixed Concrete Handicap after being just out of the money in the Chester Cup.

Jim Goldie, pictured, trains the stayer, who stuck in well to take seventh place in the valuable handicap, won by Look My Way, and has less to do in this company.

El Astronaute won in good style at York last week and is fancied to repeat the trick in the Mansionbet Sprint Stakes at York.

John Quinn’s five-yearold has bags of speed and is clearly suited by the flying five furlongs on the Knavesmire.

Isabel De Urbina suggested she might be better served by a longer trip when getting up close home to win over a mile-and-a-half on her seasonal debut at Goodwood three weeks ago.

Trainer Ralph Beckett looks to have found an ideal opportunity for her in the Group Three Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes . First Sitting may have been well beaten in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last month but it was a similar story in 2017 before she went on to land the Festival Stakes at Goodwood. Chris Wall’s mare should be spot-on in her bid to repeat that Listed success. Sound Advice, trained by Keith Dalgleish, made a pleasing reappearance at Chester’s big May meeting and can show the benefit by winning the Caldwell Construction Handicap on his return to the Roodee.