Battaash lands the Temple Stakes at Haydock in another tight finish

BATTAASH gave punters a scare as he narrowly landed the Temple Stakes at Haydock.

The 10-11 favourite slipped in the gates and missed the break losing his position early on.

With the field split across the track he reeled in Kachy on the far side before just holding off the challenge of Washington DC.

Winning trainer Charlie Hills said: "He jumped slowly today, which meant he got a lead, which helped, but they were spread across the track and the race developed away from us.

"He got a bit tired in the last half-furlong, but we've left a bit to work on and this was always a prep.

"It was his first run and he hasn't even come in his coat yet. Giving 5lb to some very good horses was always going to be hard.

"There are a few things we can learn from heading to Ascot (King's Stand Stakes), but he's given some good horses weight and a beating - Kachy is a very good horse.

"Whatever the ground is doesn't bother him, he's broken track records and won an Abbaye on soft."

Jockey Dane O'Neill said: "The race developed away from us, which didn't help.

"He'll improve a lot for that, he hasn't even come in his coat yet and it's a long season."