Betting
ROYAL ASCOT PREVIEW | The King’s Stand Stakes
Charles Hills’ Battaash is the standout contender among 16 declared in the Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot
Considered to be the greatest sprinter of his generation, BATTAASH (9/4) returns to Royal Ascot to defend his King’s Stand Stakes Crown for Charles Hills.
The gelding has suffered a few setbacks during the off-season and has yet to make an appearance this year.
The son of Dark Angel was last seen at the Ebor Festival back in August when he produced a fighting performance in Yorkshire to win the Nunthorpe Stakes, with QUE AMORO (14/1) running a huge race to finish a length behind in second.
He holds a price of 9/4 at this stage, which is the highest odds at this stage of declarations he has held in over three years.
Hills’ talent will need to be at his best if he is to record victory here and it would be a truly special performance if he is able to deliver.
WINTER POWER (9/2) has shown a fair level of progress since last September and she could have more to offer over this distance.
Tim Easterby’s filly made all in the Listed Westow Stakes at York and should be in the mix even though she makes the leap into Group 1 contest.
OXTED (8/1) burst onto the scene when landing the July Cup at Newmarket for Roger Teal, but the five-year-old has yet to follow up that form this season.
The gelding has been dropped to the minimum distance here however and could well be one to watch here.
Brendan Walsh’s EXTRAVAGANT KID (7/1) has the spectacular Frankie Dettori booked in the saddle, while LIBERTY BEACH (11/1) will hoping to follow up her Temple Stakes success up here for John Quinn and is joined by stablemate KEEP BUSY (25/1).
KING’S LYNN (20/1) recorded a career-best in the Achilles Stakes last month for Andrew Balding, who also sends Epsom Dash Handicap third STONE OF DESTINY (40/1) for the contest at Ascot.
Nigel Tinkler holds two entries in the race in Group 2 winner UBETTABELIEVEIT (33/1) and ACKLAM EXPRESS (40/1) who spent the winter months in the Middle East.
MAVEN (16/1) makes the trip across the Atlantic Ocean as part of Wesley Ward’s Ascot squad and Robert Cowell’s ARECIBO (50/1) carries C&D form into the contest.
Adrian McGuinness’ HARRY’S BAR (50/1), Christopher Mason’s GLAMOROUS ANNA (150/1) and David Griffiths’ ORNATE (150/1) complete the line-up for the Group 1 sprint.
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