Leading fancy Kachy may duck Temple Stakes showdown with superstar Battaash
Tom Dascombe has warned punters that runaway Chester winner Kachy is not certain to take on champion five-furlong sprinter Battaash at Haydock on Saturday.
The speedy five-year-old is a best-priced 13-2 second favourite for the Group 2 Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes, in which he would be receiving 5lb from last year's Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner.
But Dascombe may elect to keep him fresh for the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, where the horse came within a length of Group 1 glory in the Commonwealth Cup two years ago.
Watch: Kachy bolt up by nine lengths at Chester
Kachy looked as good as ever when defying a wide draw to win by nine lengths at Chester a fortnight ago and Dascombe said: "He's in great shape and he came out of Chester well but I haven't quite decided whether we're going to run him yet.
"He seems to be a horse that benefits from a bit of time between races but he'll probably have his ideal conditions at Haydock so we need to really think about it. The alternative would be to go straight to Ascot."
Temple Stakes card and betting
King's Stand Stakes card and betting
Stablemate Doctor Sardonicus, a winner at Wolverhampton on his debut for the yard, is set to take his chance on Saturday.
"We've only had him for one run but his all-weather form is very good and we just have to see whether he can convert that to grass," Dascombe said.
"He missed Chester, which wasn't the plan, but he wants an easy five furlongs on quick ground and I hope he'll get that on Saturday."
Quick ground looks assured as conditions are currently described officially as good to firm and clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright said: "There is no rain forecast and we will be watering to maintain good to firm ground."
Battaash's presence has not frightened away the opposition in Saturday's £100,000 feature, with John Gosden's unbeaten Dreamfield and the Michael Dods-trained Palace House Stakes winner Mabs Cross, who is owned by race sponsor David Armstrong, also among the 15 acceptors.
You may also be interested in:
Brilliant Battaash back on his A-game with tour de force
Priceless joy in Temple but Chelsea fail to double up for Spence
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
Published on 21 May 2018inNews
Last updated 16:15, 23 May 2018
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement
- Kieran Shoemark lands another plum Meydan ride for Gosden stable on Trawlerman in Saturday's Dubai Gold Cup
- The latest edition of the Racing Post is available to read online now - here's how you can access it
- How Smart View recorded a 76 per cent profit at the Cheltenham Festival
- Smart View is available on the Racing Post app - how to read the revolutionary new racecard
- Levy reform talks 'accelerating' as clock ticks down to April deadline for agreement
- Kieran Shoemark lands another plum Meydan ride for Gosden stable on Trawlerman in Saturday's Dubai Gold Cup