The lowdown on the key runners in the 5f speed test

Qatar King George Stakes | Group 2 | 5f | 2yo | ITV/RUK

Will the ground blunt Battaash?

The new kid on the block in the sprinting division, Battaash bulldozed his way to a new track record at Sandown last time.

Once an uncontrollable tearaway, a gelding operation has helped the three-year-old focus his raw talent in the right direction and he has looked an unstoppable force in his two wins at Sandown this season.

However, both victories came on good to firm and, similar to many of his rivals here, the biggest question he has to answer is can he show the same relentless acceleration on ground that took a pounding from the rain earlier in the week?

"I'm not concerned too much at this stage," said trainer Charlie Hills of the wet weather. "He's by Dark Angel and there's enough on his dam side to suggest he'll handle soft ground okay.

"He also ran a good race on it at Doncaster last year when he didn't get home over six furlongs.

"He's got great potential but he's taking on horses who have been there and done it at this level, and he hasn't yet. He's not raced at Goodwood either but should be fine and he's spot on."

Ardad started a much shorter price than Battaash at Sandown but was among those left trailing in his wake, finishing fifth, beaten four and three-quarter lengths.

Ardad's trainer John Gosden said: "He's taken a while to come to himself but is in good form at home and we're looking forward to seeing him run.

"He has form on soft ground but heavy, holding conditions would be a whole new ball game."

Unique track a first for Cox duo

Fresh from Group 1 success in the July Cup with Harry Angel, Clive Cox is two-handed as he tries to plunder another of the feature sprints of the season with Profitable and Priceless.

Having won last season's King's Stand Stakes on soft, the going is not the issue it is for others where Profitable is concerned, although it is his first try at Goodwood's unique sprint course.

"Profitable has run into the Dip at Newmarket and is well balanced so I've no concerns about the course whatsoever," said Cox.

Closer than any of his rivals to winner Lady Aurelia in this year's King's Stand, Profitable is arguably the one to beat on that form and Cox is confident he has him at his best.

"Given he was conceding 9lb to Lady Aurelia, to be beaten three lengths was no disgrace, and we've had a healthy timescale between now and then," he added.

"I'm really happy he has a real edge on him, he won't mind the recent rainfall and is a proven Group 1 horse."

The track is also an unknown quantity for Priceless, who was 12th behind Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot but who had previously beaten the boys in convincing fashion in the Group 2 Temple Stakes.

Cox said: "How Priceless will handle the course is an interesting question but she's got a nice draw.

"She's also won on good to soft but this is different territory and we're of the opinion she's better on quicker ground. But she's in excellent form and I'm happy she's in there.”

Drying ground needed for Marsha

Untested on soft ground, Marsha makes the trip from Newmarket with Sir Mark Prescott keen to run, but if the ground is more testing than good to soft she is likely to miss the race.

"I don't think she'd run if it was like it was on Wednesday," said Prescott. "If it was good to soft I think she'd run on the basis she's never seen it before, but if it was like Wednesday I'm fairly confident she wouldn't get five furlongs. We'd like to run her as mathematically she's best in."

Marsha did something seldom seen when carrying a Group 1 penalty to win the Palace House Stakes earlier in the season and has since finished third in the King's Stand, while she was a short-head second in the Sapphire Stakes last time.

Prescott added: "She was back in front a stride after the line in Ireland but the winner [Caspian Prince] is an admirable horse. She's best with a ferocious pace and took that race really well.

"She'll probably be sold in the autumn, which will be a sad day for us, but the best thing about fillies is you don't knock the value off them by running."

History beckons for Take Cover

Take Cover bids to become the first horse to win the race three times and, despite moving well into the veteran stage of his career at ten, remains at his peak according to South Yorkshire trainer David Griffiths.

"He's going very well and has bounced out of his last win at York," he said. "Last year was his best and I'm confident he's as good now."

Ideally Griffiths would have preferred rattling fast ground, but Take Cover's CV does include a win on heavy ground.

Griffiths said: "He's been lucky with the ground for the last three years but has form on soft. However, it's a Group 2 and you really need everything in your favour. I might get the hairdryer on it in the morning!"

Take Cover bids to become the first three-time winner of the King George StakesCredit: Louise Pollard

Final Venture was second to Take Cover in the City Walls Stakes at York last time, beaten half a length when conceding 3lb. The duo run off level weights here and Final Venture's trainer Paul Midgley said: "I think the ground will inconvenience others more than him. He's run on soft and won on it; whether he's as good on it, we'll see.

"I don't think there are too many negatives. The draw's okay, he's travelled down there well and the ground brings him more into the equation."

Weather woe for Dascombe ace

Kachy landed the Molecomb Stakes over course and distance as a two-year-old and has run consistently in the big sprints so far this season, but he is far from a certain runner with the ground going against him.

"We've got huge ground concerns and he's not a definite runner," said trainer Tom Dascombe. "We'll see what conditions are like on the day and make a decision.

"We'd love to run but there's no point if you can't win before you start. I think this is his trip and he's been very consistent, but it depends how the ground is.”

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