Royal Ascot results: Battaash finally seals Ascot victory on day one
Royal Ascot is underway and, for the first time, is behind closed doors without any fans due to the coronavirus.
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Charlie Hills calls Battaash one of the slowest walkers but admits he might just be one of the fastest horses in the world and he showed why when blitzing home in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Out of the starting stalls like he had rocket strapped on his back, rider Jim Crowley was just a passenger as Battaash was not responding to the brakes. For the last two years Battaash had his nose bloodied by the now retired Blue Point in yesterday’s five-furlong dash.
Battaash is a credit to his trainer Hills, who has been ably assisted by the gelding’s groom Bob Grace in keeping a lid on this fireball.
"We always think his ace card from the two to the one-furlong pole is that he can get horses off the bridle and he gets them all going whilst he is still cruising,” said Hills, who was also responsible for the second home Equilateral.
"Bob probably gets a stride slower every year, but the horse now goes at the same pace that Bob does in the paddock!
“It is amazing the connection the two have. He might be one of the fastest horses in the world, but he walks so slowly.”
Crowley, clearly enjoying the moment despite the meeting taking place behind closed doors, remarked: “My only concern was to try to get the fractions right on him because obviously he was quite keen today.
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"Every time he wins, it feels special, because when he wins, he wins well.”
“He's a real superstar and he has done the three now - the Abbaye, the Nunthorpe, this and hopefully we're not finished yet.”
Battaash was the final leg of a treble for Crowley, all for his retainer Hamdan Al Maktoum.
He kicked off the meeting when partnering Motakkhayyel to victory in opening Buckingham Palace Handicap for Richard Hannon.
It was not only a canny ride from Crowley, but a wise choice as he turned down the ride on Daarik, the beaten favourite
Further success came for the former champion jockey with Nazzeef for John Gosden in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.
"I am very lucky to be riding some nice horses for some nice yards and that is probably the key really,” added Crowley. “It was redemption for Battaash as he had a bit of unfinished business and he got it done.”
Frankie Dettori admitted that he found it difficult to get motivated when racing took place behind closed doors at Royal Ascot.
"Before the first race, it was very hard to pick myself up,” said Royal Ascot’s leading jockey. “I usually walk in and am signing autographs; everybody is slapping me on the back and shouting my name.
“It was the opposite today. I think I had to have two or three espressos to get me going for the first race.”
“But now the adrenaline is pumping, I had a good battle with Ryan Moore in the second race. I am well warmed up and it's nice to get one on the board with Frankly Darling (winner of the Ribblesdale Stakes)."
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Royal Ascot results
1.15pm The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £35,000 Seven furlongs - Scout’s tip: Motakhayyel
1st Motakhayyel
2nd Jack’s Point
3rd Mutamaasik
1.50pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £250,000 One mile - Scout’s tip: Circus Maximus (treble)
1st Circus Maximus
2nd Terebellum
3rd Marie's Diamond
2.25pm The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 3 fillies £110,000 One mile, four furlongs - Scout’s tip: Frankly Darling
1st Frankly Darling
2nd Ennistymon
4rd Passion
3.00pm The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) 3 colts & geldings £110,000 One mile, four furlongs - Scout’s tip: Mogul
1st Pyledriver
2nd Arthur’s Kingdom
4rd Mohican Heights
3.35pm The King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) 3+ £250,000 Five furlongs - Scout’s tip: Battaash
1st Battaash
2nd Equilateral
4rd Liberty Beach
4.10pm The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 4+ fillies & mares £100,000 One mile - Scout’s tip: Jubiloso (nap)
1st Nazeef
2nd Agincourt
3rd Queen Power
4.40pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £35,000 Two miles, four furlongs - Scout’s tip: Dubai Fifty
1st Coeur De Lion
2nd Verdana Blue
4rd Summer Moon