SPRINTING SIZZLER
ULTIMATE speedball Battaash has rivals queueing up to take him on and prevent Nunthorpe Stakes triumph number two.
Charlie Hills’ 2019 winner of the five furlong dash is just 8-11 with Betfair to follow-up his 2019 heroics – as a clutch of quality sprinters wait in the wings.
The stellar cast for the summer sizzler includes American juvenile Golden Pal, the highly progressive Art Power and an on the up A’Ali.
WesleyWard has been persuaded to aim the first-named and Norfolk Stakes second at the Group One on August 21, in receipt of 24lb from the big-race favourite.
“There have been a bunch of two-yearolds who have been very successful in the race and won,” Ward said. “It’s a big weight break to take advantage of with a two-year-old who has the quickness and quality he has.”
Art Power has blitzed the opposition this season and connections have already set their sights on beating Battaash.
Oxted is another potential candidate, with a first top-level success under his belt in the July Cup, while A’Ali may also travel north in a month’s time.
The three-year-old took the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday
– and his team feel he is ready to rise in class on the Knavesmire.
Ed Crisford, who trains A’Ali in partnership with his father, Simon, believes their charge shows the benefit of having another year on his back.
“He deserves to take his chance at the top level now,” he said.
“We’ll have to take on Battaash in the Nunthorpe and with Art Power, Oxted and Golden Pal all looking like heading there, it should be a great race.”