Crowley purring ahead of 'unbelievable' Battaash's Nunthorpe defence

Jim Crowley, who had a sensational six successes at Royal Ascot and captured the jewel in Glorious Goodwood's crown, cannot wait for another of Flat racing's showpiece fixtures – and little wonder as he will be on the blistering Battaash, the red-hot favourite for Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Trained by Charlie Hills, Battaash helped light up last year's Ebor meeting by winning the Nunthorpe in devastating style and is best-priced at 1-2 for a second triumph.

Former jump jockey Crowley, in his fourth campaign working for the star sprinter's owner Hamdan Al Maktoum and seven away from 2,000 winners in both codes in Britain, is fully aware why those odds exist about his partner, who followed King's Stand glory by winning Goodwood's King George Stakes for the fourth time.

Nunthorpe entries and betting

In advance of the Nunthorpe, part of the 2020 Qipco British Champions Series, Crowley purred on Monday: "He's certainly not getting slower and is just unbelievable to ride. I rode him [on the gallops] before Ascot and was grinning all the way home because you forget how special he is. I take it for granted sometimes how quick he is and it is a bit special going that quick because nothing else can compare to it.

"He's the highest-rated sprinter in the world and if you look at his CV and what he's won, there are not many sprinters who can do that, and he's done it for the last four years. He's a proper horse and I'm very lucky to ride him as they don't come around often.

"These sprinters normally take it in turns and it's very hard to find one who's dominant, but this fella has been fairly dominant for the last few years and it would be lovely to do it again."

Battaash: demolition job in last year's NunthorpeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Battaash used to let things get to him, notably when he was beaten in the 2017 Nunthorpe, but connections are adamant he is a changed horse.

"In the past getting him to the start was the most important thing and getting him calm, but this year he's been really good and lobbed down to post twice at Ascot and Goodwood," added Crowley, still buzzing about his long, hot summer and Mohaather's victory in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

"It's been gradual and every year he's better. Before, you'd get on him in the paddock and could feel him tensing up and you'd canter to post and he'd be grinding his teeth, whereas this year he's much more relaxed. He was like a little ticking time bomb waiting to go off, but you get on him now and feel him relax."

Desperate ground would concern Crowley – York was described as good on Monday but rain may fall – and Hills shares that view, but he could not be happier with how the golden boy of his Lambourn stable has matured.

He puts that turnaround down to the Battaash brains trust of the owner's second jockey Dane O'Neill, who partners the six-year-old in most of his fast work, regular exercise rider Viktoria Gatu, groom Bob Grace and equine behaviour experts Gary and Craig Witheford.

"He seems in great shape and enjoying his racing," Hills said.

Charlie Hills: trainer's reaction after Battaash won at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It hasn't been straightforward by any stretch of the imagination and it's been well documented he was tricky as a two-year-old so was gelded, but now he's got more races under his belt he's a proper professional. He's very straightforward to train now and will do anything you ask. He's a good eater and is lovely and calm in his box; any child could go in and give him a cuddle as he loves the attention. We've got a great routine with him."

Hills, who suggested taking the son of Dark Angel to the US for the Breeders' Cup after the Nunthorpe was unlikely, added: "You can never rule it [a Battaash blip] out, but that day at York as a three-year-old, we knew as soon as he came over to the track he was in a bad frame of mind.

"He wasn't easy to saddle and we had the [barking] dog episode down at the start, which seemed to really wind him up, but Craig and Gary Witheford have got to know him well, so I'd like to think we have most things covered.

"I'm really happy where he is. He had a canter this morning and Viktoria said he felt as fresh as paint, so we're in good shape. There are a few showers about, but he's won a couple on easy ground and it's a fast track, which suits."

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