Hills’ star duo primed for Royal Ascot targets

Horse Racing
Battaash tipped to make history

Trainer Charlie Hills is hopeful his stable stars Phoenix of Spain and Battaash can strike at Royal Ascot after their impressive recent comeback victories.

Hills enjoyed the finest moment of his training career after Phoenix of Spain stormed to a three-length success in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, before Battaash landed Haydock’s Temple Stakes just 25 minutes later.

The Lambourn-based handler confirmed they have come out of their respective races in good form and thinks they will prove to be hard to beat at the Royal meeting.

Phoenix of Spain is set to tackle the St James’s Palace Stakes, where he is likely to face the re-opposing pair of Too Darn Hot and English 2000 Guineas hero Magna Grecia, who was well beaten by the Lope De Vega colt in the Irish version.

Hills said: ‘He seems to have come out of the race really well, he’s back in his normal routine and eating well, so we’re looking forward to the Tuesday of Ascot.

‘We were obviously delighted with him at the Curragh.

He was going away from them, and galloped right through the line.

‘You would like to think there’s some improvement there, and it’s nice to go into Royal Ascot with just one run under his belt this year – he’s going there nice and fresh.

‘ Battaash will line up just over an hour earlier in the King’s Stand Stakes and will be aiming to avenge last year’s defeat in the race.

The five-year-old finished runner-up behind Blue Point that day, but Hills thinks the gelding is a different prospect this year ahead of his return to the Berkshire track.

‘Battaash came out of Haydock as well as he’s ever come out of any race, to be honest,’ Hills added.

‘He’s in really good form and looks a picture.

He seems to be in a good place mentally and physically this year, and is really enjoying himself.

‘There’s good timing between Haydock and Ascot, so we’re looking forward to that.’

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