Brilliant Battaash breaks course record in glorious Charge victory

Battaash broke the course record at Sandown as he roared to victory in the Coral Charge.

The Charlie Hills-trained three-year-old was quickly forward and once in the lead never relinquished it, going further and further clear under Dane O'Neill in a manner that would have had backers purring.

Battaash, who won by three and a quarter lengths at 5-2, is now no bigger than 10-1 (from 25) for the Nunthorpe and as short as 6-1.

Goodwood option

Hills said: "He had a great draw and we didn't think there was too much pace, so we just let him run in Dane's hands.

"Last year he was a bull in a china shop but this year he's been so much better. I was a bit worried he might over-race in front, but he didn't.

"I think we'll look at Goodwood, which is three weeks away, and he's got an entry in the Nunthorpe, which would mean taking on a good filly, which you've got to be wary of."

Battaash's time of 58.57 broke the course record by a quarter of a second.