Battaash secures back-to-back Temple Stakes with impressive victory

Battaash showed an electric turn of foot to decisively land back-to-back runnings of the Group 2 Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes under Jim Crowley and round off a golden half-hour for trainer Charlie Hills.

Shortly after the Hills-trained Phoenix Of Spain had landed the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the 5-6 favourite Battaash broke slightly awkwardly but got a lovely run into the race behind Alpha Delphini and shot to the front in the style of the best sprinter around.

Nudged out hands and heels, Battaash opened up a three-length gap over his rivals and won cosily at the line. Alpha Delphini finished second, while Mabs Cross, who lost a shoe, stayed on to take third.

Crowley said: "It was great. As you can see, when he is on a going day not much can live with him. I was able to get a bit of cover for the first furlong but there isn't a horse quick enough to lead him.

"He was doing enough in front. He has so much natural speed, too much sometimes. You know going into the last two furlongs what you're in for and today he took me there.

"Hopefully he can keep doing it. He's unbelievable and probably the fastest horse I will ever ride."

Battaash was cut to 5-2 (from 6-1) for the King's Stand Stakes by Paddy Power.

Result, replay and analysis

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