3 minute read

Battaash finished second to Blue Point in the G1 £500,000 King's Stand Stakes over five furlongs for the second consecutive year. The 2/1 favourite was beaten a length and a quarter - half a length less than in 2018.

The Dark Angel five-year-old was ridden by Jim Crowley and trained by Charles Hills. 

Hills said: "He probably just got a little bit outstayed again today, really. It's got to have tested his stamina a bit; he was drawn wide and unfortunately the horse we thought we'd follow early on into the race slipped coming out of the stalls, and we got a bit detached from the race, maybe. He's run a really good race, though."

Jim Crowley said: ""He ran a super race, a great race. The winner is a very good horse. I rode him a bit differently this year, and still got beaten. I think the track doesn't play to his strengths."

Third was front-running three-year-old Soldier's Call, trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Danny Tudhope. He finished a length and a half behind Battaash  at 16/1 and a nose ahead of last year's third, Mabs Cross.

Watson said: "He's run a huge race. He'd run against these horses at two, which very few horses do, and I'm delighted with him. That's the way to ride him. He showed a lot of speed today. He ran a very good race at York and he's taken a big step forward today. I know he's good enough to win one of these.

"Goodwood was the one place where he didn't like the track last year so we won't be going there. All roads probably lead to the Group Ones at the end of the season."

Danny Tudhope said: "It was a great run. I think he is back to his best now."