Benbatl back in Joel Stakes

Saeed bin Suroor is now excited about seeing his star Benbatl make his return from a year on the sidelines in the Shadwell Joel Stakes.
The five-year-old won three occasions at Group 1 level – before landing the Grosser Dallmayr Preis in October, operating a winner of the Dubai Turf in Meydan out in late March.
Benbatl has not been viewed since pursuing home Winx when the wonder-mare claimed an early success that was fourth after in precisely exactly the same month, but is reported to be for his Group Two return on the Rowley Mile.
“It’s his first start of the year. However he is in good shape, and we’re looking forward to seeing him run,” said Newmarket trainer bin Suroor.
“His work was great, and he constantly shows his class in the evenings. His final bit of work on the Watered Gallop on Racecourse facet was good, and we are satisfied.
“A mile is a good excursion for his very first run, and we will see how we proceed. I am hoping to get a fantastic run, although I believe this race will be needed by him.
“I need to observe the way he works and he comes from the race prior to making any programs, but options are open for him at Group One level”
With the John Gosden-trained King Of Comedy setting a high standard with the form of this season benbatl faces a far from simple task on his comeback.
winning at Sandown at the spring, Kingman’s son looked every inch a colt at the making – and then he was just narrowly denied by Circus Maximus when a fast-finishing second in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
He had been last seen finishing a close-up fourth in the Juddmonte International at York, and also relations are hoping he could make the most of getting his sights lowered a colour.
Hugo Lascelles, racing manager to King Of Comedy’s owner-breeder Lady Bamford, said:”We expect it’s a good opportunity for him. He is working with him going to the race and John is pleased.
“He put up a decent performance at York, along with the stiff mile at Newmarket should suit him well.
“We are hopeful, but you will find one or two great horses against him, so it won’t be a walkover, that’s for certain.
“He hasn’t won a Group race so we’ll take one step at a time, but when all goes well on Friday we hope he will then head back to Ascot for the QEII.”
The unbeaten UAE Jewel is already a winner – before following up on Guineas from the Recorded Newmarket Stakes weekend making a debut in the Wood Ditton in the Craven meeting in April.
Roger Varian’s bill checks the water Group Two level.
Varian said:”It resembles a powerful renewal of the Joel Stakes, but the time of this race matches well for UAE Jewel, and it ought to be a great starting point to get his career back on course.
“I was in 2 minds about running over this mile trip or waiting for something above a mile and a quarter – and he wouldn’t want too much more rain, since he’s a fast-ground horse.
“He needed a drawback when we were ordering him for the Prix du Jockey Club back in the spring, however, is prepared for a run today.”
Zaaki has won a number of the five starts with Sir Michael Stoute this year and bids to improve his tally – while Happy Electricity (Andrew Balding), Pogo (Charlie Hills) and Anna Nerium (Richard Hannon) finish the line-up.

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