Battaash Heads King George Field on Goodwood Day 4

Speed demon Battaash, one of the world's top sprinters over the past 12 months, returns to the South Downs aiming to defend last year's hugely impressive Qatar King George Stakes (G2) victory in the highlight of day four at Glorious Goodwood Aug. 3.

The sprint star was devastating on the Downs last summer, scorching to a 2 1/4-length win that marked him out as the emerging force in British sprinting. But following a defeat in the King's Stand Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, connections are looking for him to stamp his authority on this group 2.

Heading his rivals is the Karl Burke-trained Havana Grey, who turned over some smart older horses, including Caspian Prince and Mabs Cross, in the Sapphire Stakes (G2) last month. Kachy, who was beaten a neck by Battaash in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes (G2) in May, Ryan Moore's mount Sioux Nation, and the 2015 winner of this race, Muthmir, could also play leading roles.

If you're seeking a horse with course experience, look no further than veteran sprinter Take Cover in the King George.

The 11-year-old boasts a fine record at Glorious Goodwood, previously landing the feature sprint in 2014 and 2016, a contest in which he has also finished second and fourth.

Owned and bred by Norcroft Park Stud, Take Cover was runner-up in the Stewards' Sprint Stakes in 2013 and ran well on his return when fading late on in the Temple.

Despite two lesser efforts in weaker company most recently, the return to this track is a big positive.

The booking of Andrea Atzeni is another major plus for the David Griffiths-trained veteran. Atzeni is 2-for-2 aboard the yard favorite, including when landing this race four years ago.

Griffiths, who also runs Duke Of Firenze, said of his Goodwood stalwart: "He's a legend. He's good on the ground, but he can be a bit mad when he's ridden at home. He goes two speeds—flat-out or nowhere. We've got him spot on for this, and he simply loves the place. His record speaks for itself, and it would be amazing if he were to win."

A quality-looking Bombay Sapphire Glorious Stakes, the first of three group 3 races on the card, opens affairs at Goodwood, while the £150,000 Unibet Golden Mile Handicap is the day's big betting heat, with the Queen's Seniority, ridden by Moore, among the favorites with the well-backed Escobar.

Over on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is into its fifth day, and hangovers are transitioning from painful setbacks to the new normal, but the €100,000 Guinness Handicap should blow away any cobwebs.

The Willie Mullins-trained Cheltenham Festival winner Limini, who was second at Galway July 30, bids to go one better in the 1 1/2-mile prize.