Benbatl proved his considerable ability remains very much intact with a dominant comeback victory at Newmarket
“I want to see something good from him in the future,” said Saeed bin Suroor, sounding his most headmasterly after Benbatl sprang something of a surprise on his return to action here, pulling five lengths clear of some useful rivals in the Joel Stakes. From the trainer’s tone, one would have thought Benbatl was an arrogant pupil who should not be over-praised, rather than a top-class racehorse with earnings of more than £4m.
British racegoers have not, until now, seen the best of Benbatl and this was his first victory in the country where he is trained since Royal Ascot of 2017, when he scrambled home by half a length in a Group Three. But something about crossing borders has had an electrifying effect and he has won major prizes in
Germany, Dubai and Australia, where he also finished just two lengths behind the mighty Winx last year.