Battaash out to raise the roof with a fifth King George triumph

Battaash bids to thrill the Goodwood crowds again with an unprecedented fifth triumph in the King George Qatar Stakes.

The seven-year-old secured his place in Goodwood history when winning his fourth edition of the Group Two sprint last summer, although only a handful of people witnessed his triumph because coronavirus restrictions meant there were no racegoers on course.

Spectators are back in force on the Sussex Downs this week, though, and Battaash will be trying to regain the winning thread on Friday – after having to settle for fourth in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on his return.

Despite that two-and-a-half-length defeat, Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell Estate, was more than satisfied with Battaash’s effort after a setback during the winter had delayed his return to trainer Charlie Hills’ care.

Gold said: “It was well documented that he hadn’t been back in training long before Ascot, so it didn’t surprise me that he needed it. I actually thought he ran particularly well, considering.

“He showed us all his old dash was still there – he seemed very happy to be back at the races, behaved himself well, so there were a lot of positives to take out of it. They went very, very hard – he sat just behind them, came through to take it up and just blew up and got tired.

“Hopefully he has come on from that. It’s an obvious fact he’s not getting any younger and at some stage he will start to slow down, but hopefully not yet.”

Battaash is a four-time Group One winner and was unbeaten in three outings last term, rounding off with a length victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York before a possible Breeders’ Cup challenge was ruled out.

The Dark Angel gelding has also been placed multiple times at the highest level in a career which began with a Bath novice win as a juvenile back in 2016.

However, Gold admits it will be a “special” moment if Battaash can further add to his Goodwood laurels – particularly with a crowd in attendance.

Last season also saw Stradivarius win a third Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, while Enable became the first triple victor in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes – other notable achievements which were largely witnessed on TV rather than in person.

Gold added: “It would be special for everyone – it doesn’t happen very often. It would be very special if he could pull it off.

“It’s already pretty remarkable, four years in a row – so if he can do one more, that would be even better obviously.

“It’s great for racing – him, Stradivarius and Enable last year. We were blessed last year, and sadly no one could witness it, so let’s hope we can make up for it this year.”

The market suggests Archie Watson’s three-year-old Dragon Symbol is Battaash’s main rival – but he is dropping down in trip after two creditable efforts in Group Ones over six furlongs.

One who brings top-class five-furlong form to the table is Kevin Ryan’s Glass Slippers, winner of the Flying Five in Ireland and at the Breeders’ Cup last year, while John Quinn has two live each-way chances in Liberty Beach and Keep Busy.

Arecibo has improved 21lb since his switch to Robert Cowell this season – and after finishing second in the King’s Stand two starts ago, sprint king Cowell is hoping for another bold show.

“I couldn’t have dreamt what he’s done so far for us this year,” Cowell told Sky Sports Racing.

“He’d been working very well up until the point of going to Newmarket (in April), and we thought he was a bit of a handicap good thing there, but to progress to the King’s Stand and be second there was brilliant.

“It was no fluke as he backed it up with a good performance at Sandown.

“It’s a tougher race, but we feel a better race will make him a better horse. We’re looking forward to it – the ground is right, and we’re going with a little bit of hope.”

Baaeed makes the transition from Listed to Group Three level in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on Friday.

The William Haggas-trained colt is three from three so far, supplementing maiden and novice wins with a cosy four-length victory in the Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at Newmarket this month.

Those three wins have all come over a mile – which Angus Gold, racing manager for owner Shadwell Estates, admits is something of a surprise, given he is a full brother to 14-furlong winner Hukum, and he envisages a stiffer trip being required in due course.

He is eager to see how Baaeed fares moved up in company on the Sussex Downs, just over three weeks after his Listed strike.

He said: “It’s a step up and it’s all happened quite quickly for him. He’s had three relatively quick runs – but from what William and his team can see at home, he seems in good shape. He seems to have a good mind on him – he takes it well.

“The interesting thing with this horse is, from his pedigree, you would think he wanted further and yet he’s got the class to be winning so far – including a decent race last time – over a mile.

“One day, I’m imagining we will be wanting to a go a mile and a quarter with him – but equally at the same time, you couldn’t say the way he won at Newmarket last time he necessarily needed a jump up in trip just yet.”

The only concern for Baaeed would be if the Goodwood ground were to turn testing again.

Gold added: “There’s talk of rain on Thursday night, and I think if it was heavy rain and it went back to what it was on Tuesday, there’s every chance he wouldn’t be there. If it’s just on the easy side of good, I can’t see that being too much of a problem.

“When they’ve done all their winning on faster ground, until you’ve seen them go on slower you don’t know. If it got really bad, he probably wouldn’t (run).”

Baaeed is one of eight contenders – with Roger Varian’s Dee Stakes winner El Drama and Free Handicap hero Tactical his closest rivals on the official ratings, while Aidan O’Brien’s Khartoum and Sir Mark Todd’s Tasman Bay, last seen when second in the King Edward VII Stakes, are other leading hopes.

Euchen Glen leads the way in the other Group Three on the card, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Glorious Stakes.

The eight-year-old is on a career-high mark of 116 after a sterling campaign which has seen him win the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes and the Listed Gala Stakes, as well as finishing a close-up fifth in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot.

His trainer Jim Goldie was pleased to see rain at Goodwood earlier in the week, with any cut in the ground a positive for his 12-time winner.

He said: “He’s in good form, and the bit of rain won’t have harmed his chances. It’ll probably be drying out a bit by Friday, but I’d imagine it’ll still be good. It shouldn’t be fast ground, which might be a concern for us.

“He seems great. We’re happy with him, and he should run well – especially if the ground is on the soft side, I would think he’ll take a bit of beating, but it will dry out.”

Euchen Glen must shoulder a 3lb penalty for his Brigadier Gerard win, which puts him at a distinct disadvantage with Aidan O’Brien’s Mogul – a dual Group One winner last year, who drops in company and boasts a rating of 117.

Goldie nonetheless hopes his charge can use his recent run of fine form to his advantage against the Ballydoyle raider, who was last seen finishing last of six in the Coronation Cup.

He added: “He’s a good horse – we have to give him weight, but we’re giving him weight because we’ve been winning Group Threes, and he hasn’t. He’s got to turn up in the form he was before. My job is to get (Euchen Glen) there as well as we can, and let the rest worry about us.

“He’s proved he handles the track – he ran well in the two-miler last year. A mile and a half will suit him – if they go an honest pace, we’ll be there or thereabouts.

“I’m looking forward to it. Goodwood is a great festival, and usually the best horses turn up there.”

Fox Tal, who was beaten three and a quarter lengths by Euchen Glen in the Gala, is one of two for Andrew Balding – alongside Alounak, with recent York second Outbox representing Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle.

Saeed bin Suroor’s Passion And Glory is on a hat-trick after a couple of eye-catching handicap wins – with the nine-strong line up also featuring last year’s winner, the Haggas-trained Pablo Escobarr, who has failed to strike in four subsequent runs.