HAGGAS SETS THE BAA HIGH FOR SATURDAY
WILLIAM HAGGAS is confident fans will see the best of Baaeed on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.
Unbeaten in five starts, the Sea The Stars colt has made a rapid ascent to the summit of British racing.
A maiden winner in June, he went on to land the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last month.
Champion miler Palace Pier is now on the Haggas colt’s radar in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Keen to stress it is not a two-horse race, the trainer expects Baaeed to be at his peak over the royal mile, as the preparation for his French trip was a little rushed.
“If we go from today all in one piece and we get there in the paddock as he is now, you’ll see the best of him on Saturday,” Haggas said.
A six-and-a-half length scorer in Group 3 company prior to his exploits on the continent, those closest to him are keen to see if he has the gears to retain his perfect record.
“The bit that none of us know and that includes me, is what he’s got left,” Haggas added.
In the £1.2million Qipco Champion Stakes — the richest race run in Britain this year — Haggas’s Addeybb, last year’s winner, will be joined by two stablemates Dubai Honour and Al Aasy.
But, despite strength in numbers, Haggas fears Derby winner Adayar will be the biggest danger.
“I’d be really frightened of him, even at a mile and a quarter,” he said.
WILLIAM BUICK was cut to 11-10 (from 7-4) for the jockeys’ title with three days to go after halving the deficit on leader Osin Murphy (4-6f) with wins on Zebelle and Raasel at Nottingham yesterday.