Roger Teal Looking To Avoid Battaash With Oxted

Trainer Roger Teal is favouring taking his Group One winning Oxted to Haydock for the Sprint Cup instead of the Nunthorpe at York with the handler wanting to avoid a clash with superstar Battaash.

Oxted has bounced onto the racing scene this term having showed huge promise as a juvenile when landing his final contest in September, he has gone on to do things for his handler they never thought would be possible.

After building in size and maturing for the winter, Oxted started his three year old career in the Group Three Abernant Stakes, seeing off a decent field of seven runners who have previous group race experience.

Having looked very professional at Newmarket he was sent back there for his first experience in a Group One with the July Cup over six furlongs attracting a superstar field of runners.

Roger Teal's sprinter saw off a classy field to land his first ever black type victory with his jockey, the young Cieren Fallon also landing his first ever Group One success.

Oxted had been primed at either dropping back a furlong for the Nunthorpe at York or heading over to France for Sunday's Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville but they have both been ruled out.

(Credit Racing Post) Teal said: "We haven't totally struck off the Nunthorpe but the favourite is the Sprint Cup at Haydock. We'd be dropping back in trip if we went to York and I think he could do that because he travels very strongly but you never know as he hasn't run over that distance in Group 1 company.

"The problem, of course, would be turning up against Battaash. He just destroys you in the first two furlongs of those five furlong races. I'd like to try it but you'd don't really want to be taking on horses like him when you do try it. 

"I think we're probably better off staying at six as he has proven he's top-class over that distance.

"He's all good at the moment and has just gone back into full work after we gave him a nice break after the July Cup."