NUNTHORPE STAKES
Friday 22nd August, 3:35pm
Asfoora @ 7/4
Big Evs @ 5/1
Bradsell @ 11/2
Believing @ 8/1
Regional @ 9/1
view odds
*prices correct at time of writing.
THE RACE
The 2024 staging of the £500,000 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (3-35) laughs in the face of those that come over all sniffy about our sprinting division; okay, there might be no Dayjur or Battaash in the line-up, but once again the speedsters provide much value.
And the rematch between Australian mare Asfoora and ‘local hero’ Big Evs is as anticipated a showdown as any this summer. And it’s not only about them.
THE MARKET
There was a length-and-a-half at Ascot between Asfoora, who at six is three years senior to Big Evs, when they were first and third – with Regional in between – in the King Charles III Stakes.
Asfoora carried a penalty in the King George Stakes at Goodwood and was only narrowly held off by Big Evs – with Believing, Live In The Dream and Starlust close behind. In contrast, here Asfoora is conceded a pound by Big Evs in a race in which he was well-beaten as a two-year-old twelve months ago, though he’s been a course and distance winner at Listed level since.
Bradsell, conqueror of Highfield Princess at Royal Ascot in 2023 before finishing third in this, encountered a setback and lengthy absence before making a fine return at Deauville and, assuming no bounce effect, that sets him up nicely to try to go two places better. Believing is versatile in terms of sprint-distance and is likely to relish this high-octane dash.
Last year’s 28/1 winner Live In The Dream has the assistance of Sean Kirrane back in the saddle after a one-race hiatus, but is yet to demonstrate quite the same verve this season.
Behind Live In The Dream, in fourth and fifth respectively, were Makarova and Regional; Makarova would be in the mix on softer than forecast, while Regional, the Haydock Sprint Cup winner, proved vulnerable to the younger brigade last time out.
The three-year-old Starlust has twice won stylishly at a lower level on the Knavesmire this season and is upwardly mobile; Frost At Dawn, also three, impressed at Meydan in the winter and spring sunshine; Mickael Barzalona is unbeaten in two starts on forward-going Ponntos.
THE WINNER
I’ve been with Asfoora since Goodwood and, while fearing Bradsell, am not for changing – what about you?
CORN’S QUARTET
Euchen Glen’s recent runs here and at Goodwood demonstrated the eleven-year-old’s barely-dimmed talents, and it’s no negative that regular jockey Paul Mulrennan is back on board the old warrior (1-50).
Everything thing points to Point Lonsdale in the Lonsdale (2-25).
Wathnan Racing’s representatives have been doing a great job buying winners, but how good might they be at making keynote speeches? Clearing your throat at York’s historic Gimcrack Dinner is part of the prize for winning (3-00), and certainly The Strikin Viking has been shaping up, er, strikingly.
The Easterbys all target their local track, and Reach (4-10), trained by Mick and David, is probably still well-treated off a five-pound higher weight-level than when she won the race last year.
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