BATT’S MY BOY
Newsboy says star’s rivals haven’t got a prayer in Temple
BATTAASH can blow ’em away in the Group 2 Temple Stakes (4.00, ITV4) at Haydock today.
Charlie Hills’ speedball developed into Europe’s leading sprinter in 2017, winning four of his five races. Fourth to Marsha in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August, the son of Dark Angel set the record straight when humbling that rival by four lengths in the top-level Prix de l’Abbaye at Chantilly in October.
Battaash has a 5lb penalty for that triumph, but Hills (left), whose star has had wind surgery during the winter, is looking forward to the four-year-old’s return before a trip to Royal Ascot next month.
“We have had no holdups and the Temple looks ideal before the King’s Stand,” said the trainer.
The only negative is Battaash’s short price and each-way punters could do worse than Michael Mabs Cross Dods’ (12-1), who notched a personal best to win Newmarket’s Palace House Stakes.