Robin Goodfellow's racing tips: Best bets for Friday, August 21
BATTAASH (York, 3.15) has shattered more sprinting records than Usain Bolt of late and will understandably be short odds to land another Group One prize in Friday’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.
The world’s top-rated sprinter smashed the legendary Dayjur’s 1990 track record in this afternoon’s feature 12 months ago and his devastating performance in landing a historic four-timer in Goodwood’s King George Stakes caused another track record to tumble last month.
The Knavesmire hasn’t always been the happiest of hunting grounds for the Charlie Hills-trained speedball but in last year’s renewal he scorched to an emphatic defeat of Soldier’s Call, a performance the handicappers rated on a par with anything Battaash has achieved at his beloved Goodwood.
Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Friday's meetings
With upwards of 11lb in hand on his seven rivals on official ratings, the six-year-old will bid to follow this week’s Yorkshire Oaks winner Love and land Group One success at prohibitive odds.
Unlike the seemingly bombproof Love, Battaash can sometimes be his own worst enemy. His temperament has been known to overtake him on race day, causing the engine to overheat.
However, he looks more of a complete model these days and the lack of spectators this summer has allowed his fragile disposition to remain in check with marquee track performances the pleasing result.
A’Ali is a cracking sprinter in his own right and might emerge best of the rest, while it would be no great surprise to see trailblazer Ornate hang on at a huge price and nick a place.
WOLVERHAMPTON
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
4.30 Maker Of Light
5.05 Annie Rose
5.35 Equipped
6.05 Q Twenty Boy
6.35 Toro Dorado
7.05 Earth And Sky
7.35 El Salvaje
8.05 Rozalia
8.35 Elhafei
GIMCRACK
4.30 Silvestris
5.05 Jigs Princess
5.35 Englishman
6.05 Captain Ryan
6.35 Toro Dorado
7.05 Tafish
7.35 Goddess Of Fire
8.05 Prismatic
8.35 Mousebird
YORK
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
1.45 Alfaatik
2.15 Enbihaar
2.45 Minzaal
3.15 Battaash
3.45 Tawleed
4.15 Asiaaf
4.50 Hartswood (nap)
GIMCRACK
1.45 Restorer
2.15 Nayef Road (nap)
2.45 Yazaman
3.15 Battaash (nb)
3.45 Broomy Law
4.15 Asiaaf
4.50 Finest Sound
Northerner – 2.15 Nayef Road (nap); 3.15 Art Power (nb).
Newmarket – 3.45 Naval Crown (nap); 4.50 Finest Sound (nb).
SALISBURY
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
12.20 Twilight Song
12.50 Party Island
1.25 Incognito
1.55 Soft Whisper
2.25 Song of The Isles (nb)
2.55 Fancy Man
3.25 Rewaayat
3.55 Postileo
4.25 Craneur
GIMCRACK
12.20 Twilight Song
12.50 Bonus
1.25 Late Arrival
1.55 Gallardise
2.25 Zezenia
2.55 Cobh
3.25 Rewaayat
3.55 Postileo
4.25 In The Cove
NEWTON ABBOT
ROBIN GOODFELLOW
3.50 Templepark
4.20 Twin Star
4.55 Pacify
5.25 France De Reve
5.55 Saintbury Lady
6.25 Vanderbilt
6.55 My Lady Grey
7.25 Battle Of Ideas
7.55 Glengar
GIMCRACK
3.50 Templepark
4.20 Sovereign Duke
4.55 Versatility
5.25 Grageelagh Girl
