King's Stand preview Charlie Hills is cautiously optimistic that Battaash can keep his cool in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. The star sprinter can be a little tempestuous, but his trainer has a few tricks up his sleeve to ensure all will be well on the big day. Hills told Racing UK: “You never quite know with Battaash. “The stables are a little bit away from the racecourse so we’ll probably just try and get him up there while the race before is running, and then just put him in a quiet box — just down the end.” Group One winner Battaash made an encouraging return to action at Haydock last month and is set to wage war with Lady Aurelia, who won the King’s Stand Stakes 12 months ago. Hills said: “Lady Aurelia’s a very good filly and she’s unbeaten at Ascot, so she’s going to be a hard nut to crack. “But I’m pretty happy. Battaash is in good form and his work was very good (on Saturday). “You just need things to go right in the sprints.” Wesley Ward reports Lady Aurelia in top trim ahead of her quest for a third consecutive Royal Ascot triumph. The American handler said: “Her last few works have been very, very good. She’s an older mare now and came in this year heavier. “She was beaten in her prep — she was second — but she ran a really good race. “She’s ready to run. I’m very excited.”
