THERE is no substitute in racing for star quality, and Battaash reminded us on Saturday that while he may not always fire on all cylinders, he has a frighteningly good engine when all is in working order.

He was much more impressive in landing the Group 2 Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday, reversing Nunthorpe form with Alpha Delphini and Mabs Cross who were involved in a desperately close finish at York, and ran almost to the pound here it seems, the penalty Mabs Cross conceded crucial in terms of her battle with the runner-up.