Leading sprinter Battaash for trainer Charles Hills was feared to be missing Royal Ascot with an injury setback but is now said to be back on track to defend his Group One King’s Stand Stakes crown.
The seven-year-old during the winter suffered an injury setback which saw him pick up a small fracture in one of his legs and it looked a race against time to get him back for the royal meeting.
Battaash was better than ever last term landing his first ever King's Stands Stakes at Royal Ascot and then backing that up at Goodwood with his fourth King George Qatar Stakes.
He then went to York looking for his first ever win in the Nunthorpe and with a gritty, determined performance in soft conditions, he went on to take the event.
Rocket! Battaash wins the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes! @cbhills @JimCrowley1978#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/as4sLjjZOe
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2020
The superstar was not seen again last season having swerved the Prix del'Abbaye due to soft ground and he will next be seen back at Royal Ascot looking for back to back wins in the Group One sprint event.
(Credit ATR) “Battaash has been back with us a few weeks now. He’s been in training and did a nice swinging canter last week. We’re very happy with him,” said Hills on Tuesday.
“He should get to Ascot. I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t.
“Dane O’Neill is coming to sit on him tomorrow morning. He knows him very well so it will be interesting to see what he says.”