Battaash (Ire) | Horse Racing Free Tips

Charlie Hills Named William Hill Flat Racing Ambassador

Trainer Charlie Hills has been named the Flat Racing Ambassador for William Hill. Hills, who is the trainer of MG1SW sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), will provide regular blogs on his runners, views, and opinions, kicking off with an exclusive update on Battaash ahead of his seasonal bow in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. Hills's appointment will last through 2022.

“William Hill Racing Ambassador, Charlie Hills, said, “The Flat season is really hotting up with the start of Royal Ascot and I'm looking forward to sharing my views on it all with William Hill and their clients.

“As for Battaash, I've been really pleased with him. He came in a few weeks later than he has done in the past, but he hasn't missed a beat since and has been thriving at home for the last month or so.

“He's always been a horse that's very good first time out, in fact he's unbeaten first time out, and he's a horse that's fairly easy to get fit. I think the slightly longer break this year has helped him, he came back from Shadwell in really good condition, and everything seems in order.

“He's become a lot more sensible and settled in his routine work as a 7-year-old but there are absolutely no signs that he's lost any of his ability.”

Liam Mckee, Head of Planning, Media, Sponsorship & PR at William Hill, said, “We're delighted to have Charlie on board, particularly ahead of Battaash's eagerly anticipated return. The yard has had a very bright start to the season and we're looking forward to working with Charlie to provide our customers with exclusive content and insights.”

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Battaash in Good Nick For King’s Stand

Evergreen sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is in good form in advance of a title defense in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot. Also a winner of the G2 King George S. last July and the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 21, the 7-year-old Charlie Hills trainee is fully healed from an injury picked up over the winter.

“His trainer will tell you he's definitely on course for Ascot,” said Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold. “It's been well documented he was late going back in due to his problems during the winter. He's a 7-year-old so our job is to make sure he's OK. He's done a couple of bits of work now with Dane O'Neill on and Dane is very happy with him. He worked really well on Wednesday and Dane felt like he was still enjoying it.

“We've got just under three weeks left before Ascot. At the moment we're on track. Whether he'll be sharp enough to go there first time, only the next two weeks will tell us. We've a sporting chance at the moment.”

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Battaash in Good Form For King’s Stand Defense

Shadwell's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is aiming to defend his G1 King's Stand S. title at Royal Ascot and is training well trainer Charlie Hills reports. The 7-year-old gelding is thriving at Hills's yard in Lamborne after recovering from a small fracture sustained in the off season. The bay was undefeated in three starts last term, beginning in with the King's Stand in June, followed by the July 31 G2 King George Qatar S. and the Aug. 21 G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S.

“Battaash has been back with us a few weeks now,” said Hills. “He's been in training and did a nice swinging canter last week. We're very happy with him. He should get to Ascot. I can't see any reason why he wouldn't.

“Dane O'Neill is coming to sit on him tomorrow morning. He knows him very well so it will be interesting to see what he says.”

Battaash's stablemate Mutasaabeq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who won a novice in October and doubled up at Newmarket in April, has emerged from his seventh-place finish in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas in good order. Named a 'TDN Rising Star' off the back of his April effort, the colt will point to the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot.

“He's absolutely fine. He came out of the race in good form. He's looking well and training nicely,” said Hills. “I'll speak to [racing managers] Angus [Gold] and Richard [Hills] to draw up a plan, but I'd say the Jersey looks favourite.”

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Equilateral to Remain in Dubai

Trainer Charlie Hills was very pleased with the recent performance of G1SP Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the Listed Dubai Dash last Thursday, and the 6-year-old gelding will remain in Dubai for another tilt at the G2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 18. In 2020, Equilateral ran second in the Sprint.

“I was really delighted with him,” said Hills. “Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride and it looked like he was always going to win the race. It's nice to have won the race twice now and he was 5lb worse off than last year. He seems to have come out of the race in great order and we'll train him for the Group 2.”

Another of Hills's pupils, the evergreen stable star Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), is wintering well and currently enjoying a holiday. The MG1SW is likely to make his first start in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June. Last term, the bay landed the King's Stand with Equilateral second.

“Battaash is still on his winter break,” he said. “He doesn't normally come in until the beginning of March. They all seem very happy with him. He's enjoying his hols at the moment.

“Last year he would probably have gone to Haydock [for the Temple S.] had that race been on. He's won first time out every year, so I think we'll just save him for Royal Ascot.”

Group 3 winner Tilsit (First Defence) is also being aimed at a Middle Eastern target, in his case the $20-million Saudi Cup on dirt and the Middle Distance Turf Cup both in Riyadh on Feb. 20.

“He's in those two races and we're looking at it,” he said. “Hopefully we'll run him. We'll see how he is in a couple of weeks.”

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