Battaash is being billed as the fastest horse in the world and his fans are hoping to see him blitz some high class opponents and earn the title of undisputed ‘King of the Sprinters’ in Tuesday’s (18 June) G1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.

Devastatingly fast, with an exceptional turn-of-foot, Battaash has always had explosive brilliance. Now, the five-year-old has maturity too, with 16 races and eight wins under his belt.

“He has been a lot easier to train this year,” trainer Charlie Hills said. “Everything has gone right and he is coming into the race in good form. I am very pleased with him.”

Battaash sped clear of talented rivals Alpha Delphini and Mabs Cross when making his seasonal reappearance in the G2 Temple Stakes (1000m) at Haydock last month.

Throat surgery may have helped, too, and the gelding was calmer before the race than he sometimes has been. In last year’s King’s Stand, Battaash sweated up, and, ridden aggressively from the front, the free-running bay was caught close home by Blue Point. At Haydock, owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s star was held up before accelerating impressively to a sweeping victory.

Hills plans to use similar tactics in Royal Ascot’s premier speed test. “If possible, we are going to try to hold him up again,” he said.

Doubters point to the fact that, despite his exceptional ability, Battaash was beaten in some of last year’s top races, including the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) at York and the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye (1000m) at Longchamp.

Hills remarked: “People are saying that he has his off days but he has been at the top table for a long time and this year I think he will be at his best.”

Godolphin will be hoping that Blue Point will repeat last year’s victory but the task may be harder this time. In 2018, Battaash gave Blue Point a target to aim at, which is less likely this time around. Blue Point has not raced since an undefeated spell in Dubai early this year, climaxing with victory in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan.

Trainer Charlie Appleby remains upbeat. “Battaash deserves to be favourite but we are not frightened of taking him on again. Blue Point has returned from his successful time in Dubai in great form,” he said.

Michael Dods, who trains the fine mare Mabs Cross, winner of last year’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye, will be hoping for a breakneck pace and some rain.

Mabs Cross, who cost only £3,000 as a yearling, tends to struggle to go the pace against the very best opposition over 1000m on quick ground but stays on strongly to the line.
That was the case in this race last year when she finished third and again when third to Battaash in the recent G2 Temple Stakes at Haydock.

Dods, who plans to step Mabs Cross up to 1200m later in the season, said: “A fast track like Haydock doesn’t play to her strengths and Ascot suits her better. She wants a strong pace to aim at and some rain would help to slow down the others.

“She ripped a hind shoe off at Haydock and was a bit sore afterwards but it didn’t affect her training as we were going to give her a short rest anyway. She is in good form and should run well. I’m really looking forward to it.”

In recent days rain has reached Ascot and the official going is good to soft but dry weather is expected in the run up to the Royal meeting and racing is likely to start on a faster surface.