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Battaash or not Battaash, that is the question?
Battaash beaten in the Kings Stand, but Crowley too eager to burn off Lady Aurelia – went too fast there. imo Should’ve won, although wouldn’t have been at his best on a course unlikely to show him at peak. Goodwood on good-firm places the emphasis well and truly on speed and won this last year, by putting up a Group 1 performance in a Group 2. No Lady A, Blue Point or Marsha in this field and if at his best is well clear on ratings. I believe has had a wind op since last year’s brilliance, is he still capable of it? Yet to be proven, but hasn’t had conditions to suit. Wasn’t very far in front of Kachy on reappearance, but not thought fit beforehand (Kachy was) and gave 5 lbs weight away – just 3 lb here. Stable hasn’t fired in so many winners as usual this season and that may be keeping Battaash’s form down. However, several have run well without winning recently and had a winner last night. Hills not “in form” but better than it was. It’s possible could be taken on for the lead again, Take Cover at his best is one of the fastest horses in training – one capable of going with Battaash for a while – loves this course and drawn next door. Although may be time has caught up with the Griffeths horse? Quite a few other prominent racers here too, will he go too fast again? May be drawn 1 Crowley will make a move away from the field so as not to set him alight? Can boil over, did at York but although not perfect seems better behaved this term.
Conclusions: Stable form is a slight concern, but even so I made him an odds-on 4/5 shot and backed him yesterday at 11/10 before last night’s winner. Now think he’s more an fair 8/11 or even 4/6 unless getting above himself in prelims. Even if not at his best can still win. Biggest danger is if going off too fast again (not easy to hold him) but if taken on the other front runners will be going too quick for their own good. ie If beaten imo it’s more likely to be a hold up horse coming through late. So I’d be against the likes of Kachy and Havana Grey, backed previous winner and owner companion Muthmir @ 18/1 (visored for the first time) with a saver on Sioux Nation @ 8/1 (not put up on my thread because price went as soon as I was on). Mr Lumpton is another to consider if backing against the fav or wanting a saver – can’t back them all.
As people know by now, I bet the race rather than a horse.
Backed Battaash 11/10, Muthmir 18/1 with an 8/1 saver Sioux Nation.
Value Is EverythingSioux Nation e/w is a lovely bet IMO. I had some 12s when he was declared Wednesday morning and gone back in again this morning at 13/2. Ran much better in the July Cup than Seamie would make it look and back to 5F should suit.
Battaash wants it slower most likely, and although he enjoys this fast 5 i think he’s one to take on.
I’ve been watching horseracing for more years than I care to remember . I readily admit that I probably have never been so nervous before a race ; well not since El Gran Senor’s Guineas .
Goodwood 2018 was all about Battaash for me . All the Stradivarius winnings and more went on Charlie Hills’ superstar . To be fair , how could he lose against this bunch today ?
It was an absolute joy to watch . Just sublime – too easy for words . The best European sprinter since Dayjur , in my opinion . If you can get evens for the Nunthorpe , fill your tackity boots .
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Timeform provisional performance rating for this performance is 136.
That’s the same as his best form last year.
Believe I read somewhere Battaash is the highest Timeform rated gelding in their history.Value Is EverythingNot much beats seeing a top sprinter as he matures and delivers like that. Just a sheer force of nature, love it!
I know Timeform ratings are normally slightly higher than OR, but I truly believe that was up there in the wow performance ratings(along with Dayjur’s Nunthorpe win)
On figures,would have him around 128+ on yesterdays showing, even for me it easy to work out,2nd, 3rd and 4th helps you to rate the race(on OR)
But for me it is just a sit back and think that’s why I love racing( even without a bet in the race)
I used to talk to Battaash’s stable lad at the races.
The way Big Bob has kept a lid on this horse’s temperament deserves high praise.Value Is EverythingOnce Timeform give him a rating, would anyone mind sharing it? I want to see if they think it was as impressive as it looked.
What a beast he is!
Timeform provisional performance rating for this performance is 136.
It is 136, Degaaussed.
I believe that’s the best sprinter since Dayjur.
Value Is EverythingI had Battaash at 4/1 for the Kings Stand at Royal Ascot. Didn’t bother this time and BAAAAAANG he urinates up.
The Prix L’Abbeye and Breeder’s Cup Turf Sprint look well within his grasp and odds of 15/8 for the latter race would look big if he’s being aimed there.
When I saw the way he won the L’Abbeye last season I was convinced he was going to be a top notcher for Charlie Hills so soon after having another good un’ with Muhaarar.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Ok visually impressive but he is a genuine G1 horse taking on horses who regularly beat up on each other at a lower level, so he did exactly what was expect of him.
Personally, I don’t see any reason why Blue Point wouldn’t confirm the Ascot form and at 7s he is surely the better bet in the Nunthorpe, where he is likely to get the perfect lead into the race from Battaash.
I took the 7’s a few weeks back LD73
Battaash is one of my favs and does give the wow factor but is not bombproof. I do think Crowley made a horlicks at Ascot but the horse can either get out slow or over race at times. Hopefully they both get there in one piece and put on a show.Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Battaash did do “exactly what was expected”, LD; only because he was already rated the best sprinter in the World by Timeform – on 136. If anything Timeform may have under-rated Friday’s performance. With second, third and fourth all being rated pretty much the same amount below their bests. ie On “form” it is possible to rate battaash as better than 136.
Winning by an easy 4 lengths means the horses he beat don’t need to be top notch performers for Battaash to be rated quite a bit above Blue Point. Don’t know how Timeform came to conclusions, suspect time comes in to it quite a bit, but I’ll concentrate on lbs and distance:
At 5f on a fast surface each length beaten is worth around 4 lbs.
Battaash beat Take Cover by 4 lengths. 4 X 4 = 16.
Battaash gave 3 lbs to the field. 16 + 3 = 19.So Battaash can be rated as giving Take Cover at least a 19 lbs beating. Muthmir a further 1/2 length (2 lbs) behind; at least a 21 lbs beating.
Take Battaash out of the Kings Stand and Blue Point beat Mabbs Cross (who was getting the 3 lbs fillies allowance) by 2 lengths. So Blue Point gave Mabbs Cross roughly an 11 lbs beating. Is Mabbs Cross that much better than even the current Take Cover and Muthmir? Personally, I think not.
However, even with York being much more of a fast track than Ascot; ie Much more to the liking of Battaash… I’d agree with you that 7/1 Blue Point for the Nunthorpe appeals as a better bet than Evens Battaash.
Battaash seems to be of better temperament this season, but did run poorly there last year.Value Is EverythingGingertipster – So Battaash can be rated as giving Take Cover at least a 19 lbs beating. Muthmir a further 1/2 length (2 lbs) behind; at least a 21 lbs beating.
I made it 17lbs.
Gingertipster – Take Battaash out of the Kings Stand and Blue Point beat Mabbs Cross (who was getting the 3 lbs fillies allowance) by 2 lengths. So Blue Point gave Mabbs Cross roughly an 11 lbs beating
I made it 10lbs.
Last run speed figures:
Battaash – 94
Take cover – 77
Blue point – 97
Mabbs Point – 87Battaash (Ascot) – 91
Battaash (Haydock) – 100
Battaash (Chantilly Oct 2017) – 109When Battaash earned his speed figure of 109 at Chantilly I had the going at 0.00s/f (good).
Mike.
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