From Battaash to Stradivarius: Ten horses to savour when racing returns

Trainer: Jessica Harrington.

Things did not always go to plan for this filly last season but she showed she has a huge amount of ability when winning the Prix Marcel Boussac and is a best-priced 2-1 for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

She was found to be in season when disappointing in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and was left with plenty to do when fourth at the Breeders’ Cup on her final start.

Regular rider Shane Foley says the three-year-old has “done particularly well” over the winter and is just one of a number of exciting fillies in the Jessica Harrington yard this year.

Trainer: Charlie Hills.

A sprinter who has produced some scintillating performances over the past four seasons, including in the Prix de l'Abbaye, Nunthorpe Stakes and King George Stakes.

Charlie Hills’s talented yet sometimes temperamental speedster will bid to make it third time lucky in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16, a race in which he has finished runner-up behind Blue Point in the past two renewals of the 5f feature.

Trainer: John Gosden.

Racing fans are in for a treat this year with one of the greatest racehorses of modern times staying in training as a six-year-old.

The superstar mare came agonisingly close to winning a third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when beaten by Waldgeist at Longchamp in October and her season will revolve around a fourth tilt at the French showpiece.

The rescheduled Coronation Cup at Newmarket is a possible starting point for the ten-time Group One winner this season.

Trainer: Andrew Balding.

Looked a horse for the future when easily winning the rescheduled Vertem Futurity Trophy at Newcastle last year.

Andrew Balding has said the son of Kitten’s Joy will head straight for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and it will be no surprise if he gives Pinatubo plenty to think about.

Improved in each of his four starts last year and connections expect their three-year-old to stay further than a mile this season.

Trainer: Richard Hannon.

Richard Hannon believes King Of Change “could nearly be one of the best horses” he has ever trained and “would definitely have him up there in the same band as Canford Cliffs, Olympic Glory and Toranado."

Hannon has also confirmed the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner is on track to make his seasonal debut in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot next month.

The four-year-old has plenty to live up to judged by his trainer’s comments and it will be disappointing if he cannot land another Group One this season.

Trainer: John Gosden.

Made it five from five and ended a perfect campaign with an impressive victory in the St Leger last year.

The striking grey son of Frankel suffered from an infection over the winter but has recovered well and is likely to be entered in the same races as Enable this season, although whether the stablemates will clash remains to be seen.

Logician is only four and did not race as a two-year-old, so plenty of improvement can be expected this season.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby.

The next superstar in the world of horse racing? Pinatubo produced one of the performances of the season in the National Stakes last year and is the highest-rated juvenile in 25 years.

Charlie Appleby believes his exciting youngster has trained on and has grown and strengthened over the winter which adds encouragement we may not have seen the best of Pinatubo yet.

Godolphin’s unbeaten three-year-old has the potential to be one of the greats and is a best-priced 10-11 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on June 6.

Trainer: Roger Charlton.

Remained unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old and has been favourite for the Qipco 1000 Guineas on June 7 since demolishing her rivals at Newbury in September.

Tasted Group One glory on her final start in the Fillies’ Mile, although the style of her victory suggested a step up in trip would be certain to suit this season.

Has bundles of potential and the daughter of Frankel is certainly one to be excited about.

Trainer: Ger Lyons.

Created a big impression last season winning his first four starts before he had to be withdrawn at the start of the Middle Park Stakes when rearing and going down in the stalls.

Has only raced over six furlongs, but a mile ought to be within reach for this exciting colt who has always been held in high regard by his trainer, Ger Lyons.

Siskin is likely to head straight for the Irish 2,000 Guineas which he is the general 11-4 favourite for.

Trainer: John Gosden.

Twice a winner of the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ £1million bonus, will Stradivarius provide owner Bjorn Nielsen with another big pay day this season?

The star stayer failed to extend his unbeaten run to eleven when defeated by the narrowest of margins in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day last year but ought to be a tough nut to crack in the staying division once again.