Nunthorpe Stakes S3 - 4, 23/08/2024, Friday Post Time 22:35
1 |
Bradsell |
Ran a worthy third in this last year, having won a Royal Ascot G1 previously. Returned from a 329-day absence to outclass his Listed rivals at Deauville this month. A big run is expected. |
2 |
Clarendon House |
This speedster is twice a winner this year, latterly in Listed company at Cork. The earlier 2024 win – under a big weight in a handicap – came here. He’ll be an outsider but not a no-hoper. |
3 |
Live In The Dream |
Showed blistering speed from the gate to lead throughout and land a surprise victory in this last year. Two good fourth placed efforts in the US followed. A couple of disappointments this year but better last time. |
4 |
Ponntos |
A well-travelled sprinter whose front-running G2 victory on heavy ground at Chantilly in June was a career highlight. Might struggle unless the ground is very testing. |
5 |
Regional |
A terrific performance when landing a G1 at Haydock last September. That was over 1200m which looks to suit better than this trip, with four rivals proving too quick for him in this last year. |
6 |
Washington Heights |
Despite having the lowest official handicap mark in the race, he landed a 33-1 shock win under an aggressive ride in a 1200m Newmarket G3 in April. May find a few speedsters too quick at this 1000m. |
7 |
Big Evs |
An outstanding sprinter, winning six of his nine starts, a rare lapse coming in this race last year. A subsequent winner here so York is not a problem. Gained G2 victory in a thrilling finish at Goodwood this month. |
8 |
Starlust |
His two wins this season have come over this course and distance, a big plus. Not quick enough behind Big Evs on fast ground at Goodwood this month, but slow ground would bring him into the equation. |
9 |
Asfoora |
Supposedly not one of the very best Australian sprinters but you wouldn’t know that from her runs in the UK, with her G1 Royal Ascot win, and short-head second to Big Evs at Goodwood. Good chances. |
10 |
Azure Blue |
A 1200m G2 winner here last year, gaining her first win since when dead heating in a 1000m Listed race at Ayr in June. A win looks unlikely, a place a possibility. |
11 |
Believing |
York debut for this high-class sprinter who comfortably out speeded her rivals in a G2 at the Curragh, before her close third to brilliant sprinters Big Evs and Asfoora in a Goodwood G2. |
12 |
Makarova |
Would surely need the ground to turn soft for her to have a winning chance here, though not beaten far in fourth on quick ground in this race last year. A G3 sprint winner at Sandown in July. |
13 |
So Majestic |
Has failed to win in her last 14 starts – mostly handicaps – and surely won’t be fast enough to make an impact at this level. |
14 |
Frost At Dawn |
Caused a surprise when winning a G3 sprint at Meydan in March, revealing that 1000m rather than the longer trips she had competed over was what was required. But will be an outsider here. |