Saeed bin Suroor would like to watch his steady star Benbatl register a first Group One victory at Ascot.
The five-year-old won prizes in Australia, Germany and Dubai in 2018 – by chasing the mare Winx when she made history with a fourth success in the Cox 38, until rounding off his campaign.
Benbatl appeared better than when running a winner of this Joel Stakes at Newmarket out three weeks ago, along with Bin Suroor – bidding for a record sixth QEII victory on Saturday – has been thrilled with his bill since.
He explained:”He worked well last Saturday – he’s in good condition and is ready to run. We are very happy and looking ahead to Saturday. He’s a calm horse, who’s very easy and straightforward to train.”
The one caveat regarding Benbatl is the prevailing testing conditions at the Berkshire track.
Bin Suroor intends to consult with Oisin Murphy after he has ridden James Fanshawe’s The Tin Man from the Qipco British Champions Sprint – which begins the card – before affirming the participation of Benbatl.
“Our jockey will ride at the race (on the right track) ahead, and inform us what he thinks,” the trainer added.
“The horse is in great form – he has won Group Ones at Dubai, Germany and Australia, and now he wants to win in England.”
On the day he is going to be crowned champion jockey for the first time,” Murphy is optimistic that Benbatl will give cause for celebration to him.
He explained:”I had a huge win in Dubai along with a Group One in Germany on him. He had a bit of time off following the Cox Plate – however he bounced back, winning the Joel Stakes.
“He’s a really special horse – he is among the best horses in the world.
“He is rated 126, also that I invite everyone to look at him Ascot. He’s from the ordinary.”
Aidan O’Brien has four successes in the QEII into his title, and this season is based on Grecia.
Winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May, the Invincible Spirit colt has not yet been viewed since finishing fifth in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh three weeks.
O’Brien stated:”We’re very satisfied with himand he has had lots of work. He was initially going to run in York (Juddmonte International) and Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes), but we have put it off before here.
“We had been giving him additional time, since other horses kept stepping into his slotmachine, so we’ve given him too long as we could – but we are very happy today.
“He had a hamstring injury, but he is ready to return today. It simply took a very long time to repay.”
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard hopes ante-post bet The Revenant to enjoy the testing floor because he goes in quest of a seventh consecutive victory.
The Dubawi gelding was accessible at double-figure odds in the wake of his romp from the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein in ParisLongchamp but is currently favourite in the palms of Arc-winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot.
Graffard has enjoyed a memorable time, having claimed his initial traditional victory through also a Royal Ascot victory plus French Oaks heroine Channel in the Coronation Stakes – and is relishing the chance to bring a Qipco British Champions Day triumph to his CV.
“That which is great, and I am very content with the horse’s state,” said the coach.
“We know the ground will not be an issue for him, and we’re looking forward to the race.
“It is a step upward – moving to a Group One – but we do not have a lot of choice and we are extremely pleased to be operating in this race.”
Having landed the two renewals of those QEII with Persuasive and Roaring Lion John Gosden saddles King Of Comedy – runner-up to Benbatl from the Joel Stakes.
The Clarehaven handler stated:”He raced to a leading horse in top shape last time out.
“I was quite impressed by Benbatl. He won in style that was tremendous – someone had to be instant, and it turned out to .
“I take nothing from the winner and think he can take all the beating , but we are operating under somewhat different conditions.
“If we manage that ground, I think King Of Comedy may conduct a huge race.”
The Richard Hannon-trained King Of Change has conducted once because fulfilling the runner-up place in the Guineas behind Magna Grecia – winning the Fortune Stakes at Sandown .
Hannon stated:”He is a lightly-raced colt who runs well fresh. He’s plenty fit enough and in wonderful form.
“Considering his really great moment from the Guineas, we have intentionally given him a rest and ready him for the fall.
“He’s a horse for the next year, remember that – but if he ran a fantastic race at the QEII, then we’d be thrilled.
“He is a big, powerful horse – and that I believe he will take care of the soft earth, no issue.”
Phoenix on his very first start of the year won the Irish 2,000 Guineas for Charlie Hills Of Spain, but has been disappointing in 3 begins.
“I have been very delighted with him leading up to the race, and that he also conducted much improved in France last time (fifth in Prix du Moulin) if he was doing his best work on,” said Hills.
“Benbatl was mighty impressive last season, also there are plenty of other Group One winners in the marketplace, but it has been an open space division this year -and while it is competitive, it looks for grabs.”
Course expert Lord Glitters represents David O’Meara. The gray landed the Queen Anne in the Royal assembly back in June, and won the Balmoral Handicap with this card.
Last year old Queen Anne winner Accidental Agent, also a normal competitor of Lord Glittersconducts – as does since winning the Greenham Stakes in 39, Marcus Tregoning’s Mohaather, who’s been off the trail.
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