Hills ace matches personal best as he draws level with Crystal Ocean

Battaash leaves his rivals trailing in his wake in the Coolmore NunthorpeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Battaash was back to his blistering best on Friday with a seriously impressive performance in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, matching his previous best Racing Post Rating of 129 to join Crystal Ocean at the head of this year's standings.

His rating also matches the previous best Nunthorpe performance this century from Oasis Dream in 2003 and in RPR history it is bettered only by the brilliant Dayjur's 136 from 1990.

It seemed anomalous that Battaash had underperformed in two previous Nunthorpe attempts, with York's sharp five furlongs in theory playing to his strengths, and he banished memories of those disappointments in great style.

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Paul CurtisSenior handicapper

Published on 23 August 2019inReports

Last updated 19:38, 23 August 2019

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