Back Bat to have a ball at Haydock

BATTAASH can take all the plaudits on a busy day when he makes his eagerly awaited return to action in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock, writes The Ferret.

The Charlie Hills-trained four-yearold is undoubtedly 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.

SELECTIONS HAYDOCK: 2.15 Euchen Glen, 2.50 Ventura Knight, 3.25 SANDS OF MALI (NAP), 4.00 Battaash, 4.35 Dancing Star, 5.10 Short Work, 5.45 Deyaarna, 6.15 Nayel.

YORK: 2.00 Get Knotted, 2.35 Tawdeea, 3.05 Isabel De Urbina, 3.40 El Astronaute, 4.15 I Am A Dreamer, 4.50 Akvavera, 5.25 Our Charlie Brown. DOUBLE: Sands Of Mali and Battaash.