Bin Suroor confirms QEII plan for Benbatl
Benbatl will be aimed at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day following his impressive victory at Newmarket last week. Returning after a lengthy absence, Saeed bin Suroor’s five-year-old looked a class apart in the Joel Stakes – brushing off the challenge of John Gosden’s King Of Comedy, who had previously run well in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Juddmonte International this season. In the immediate aftermath, Bin Suroor raised the 10-furlong Qipco Champion Stakes as a possible alternative to the QEII – with his charge having won Group Ones over the longer distance in Germany and Australia. However, the Godolphin trainer has now confirmed his charge will stick to a mile at Ascot on October 19. “He came back well after the race and the plan now is to take him to the QEII,” said bin Suroor. “He’s a horse who had been showing his class in the morning and was a Group One winner in the past – he won it well and he’ll be ready for Ascot now. “A stiff mile is his best trip, I think, but he stays a mile and a quarter. I talked to Oisin (Murphy) and he agrees with me that the QEII is his race and I spoke to Sheikh Mohammed, who gave me the green light for the QEII. “He’ll be ok with a bit of cut in the ground but we wouldn’t want it too soft.” Mountain Hunter was the winner of a Listed race on the same afternoon – but his big targets are overseas, as they are with Chelmsford winner Bin Battuta. “Mountain Hunter beat a good horse in Loxley to win a Listed race. He’ll go out to Dubai, but we could look to find a race before he goes,” the trainer added. “We had him in the Melbourne Cup but he’s suited by Dubai racing, as is Bin Battuta.”
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
The King and Queen appointed joint patrons of the Jockey Club
Organisation is responsible for tracks including Newmarket, Epsom and Cheltenham.
-
Ballyburn secures record-breaking win for Willie Mullins
Trainer sets another new mark with 4,378th career success.
-
State Man seals perfect season with Punchestown glory
Willie Mullins’ charge sees off Irish Point in the Boodles Champion Hurdle.
-
Brides Hill strolls to Punchestown victory
Gavin Cromwell’s mare registers 21-length verdict in Grade Two company.
-
Outbox springs 50-1 surprise in Jockey Club prize
Veteran performer strikes Group Two gold at Newmarket.
-
Boiling Point too hot for Newmarket rivals
Royal Ascot next on the agenda for Roger Varian’s charge.
-
O’Brien and City Of Troy all set for Classic day of reckoning
All the work has been done – now the big day has come for unbeaten Guineas favourite.
-
Beautiful Diamond aiming to sparkle in Palace House
Connections believe filly can make her mark over five furlongs this term.
-
Caviar hits Newmarket Heights for Karl Burke
Listed winner now 33-1 for the Derby after impressive outing.
-
Rosallion ready to rumble after winter of content
‘I know he’s the best in the yard… we’ll find out on Saturday if he’s the best in the race’.