King George Stakes Position Map Preview: Rivals won't Taash the question

This doesn’t look the deepest renewal of the King George and it is hard not to see Battaash retaining his crown. As the Early Position Map below demonstrates, Battaash is one of the likely pace pushers, along with Kachy.

However, as we saw in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, Kachy paid the price for trying to go with Battaash in the early stages, ultimately fading two furlongs out and finishing ninth, beaten over eight lengths, whereas Battash was only overhauled in the last half a furlong by the more patiently ridden Blue Point.

William Buick and Blue Point surprised favourites Battaash and Lady Aurelia in the King's Stand Stakes at #RoyalAscot yesterday... pic.twitter.com/i69Uuhj8hT

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 20, 2018

Battaash showed his liking for this track when putting up a top-class performance to win this race 12 months ago, breaking through the 130 barrier in terms of his Timeform rating, which so many champion five furlong sprinters in recent years have failed to do. He has to carry a 3 lb penalty here, but that shouldn’t be enough to stop an in-form Battaash in this field – he is 10 lb clear of his nearest rival on Timeform ratings – and he is a very strong fancy to follow up.

Take Cover is now an 11-year-old, but his record at Goodwood is a formidable one, and for all he hasn’t been at his best so far this season, it would be folly to ignore his claims. He won this race in both 2014 and 2016, and was arguably better than ever last season, completing a hat-trick in a listed race at Dundalk in October. Andrea Atzeni, who was aboard for his 2014 victory in this race, is back in the saddle; he will likely track the pace and be in a position to pounce in the final furlong.

There is an interesting three-year-old challenge, but the pick on form are Havana Grey and Sioux Nation. The former won the Molecomb at this meeting last year and returned to form when winning the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last time. He tracked the leader that day, and impressed with the manner in which he skipped past one so quick and in good form, so he looks well worth his place in this line-up.

Sioux Nation also got back on track when a good fifth in the July Cup at Newmarket last time. He was held up in the rear that day, asked a big question trying to come from last place, but wasn’t disgraced and made up good ground. That was over six furlongs, but he has the speed for this drop back to the minimum trip, and will likely be ridden more prominently.

The William Haggas-trained Muthmir is perhaps best of the remainder, not always the easiest to win with, but sure to be travelling well behind the pace two furlongs out. He won this race in 2015, and has proved at least as good as ever this year, though he has been no match for Battaash the last twice the two have met.

Conclusion

This is a fairly straightforward race to assess, Battaash much the best of these and should take all the beating no matter how he is ridden. He showed last year when winning this race he doesn’t have to lead, but it could be a case of none of these will be good enough to go with this speedy four-year-old, and he can make his class tell. Three-year-olds Havana Grey and Sioux Nation could pick up the pieces.

Recommended bet:

Back Battaash at 5/4 in the King George Stakes at Goodwood on Friday