The Nunthorpe Stakes is the most exciting minute of York’s Ebor Meeting, and this 5-Furlong Group 1 contest is open to horses aged 2 and upwards. It has been run in its present format since 1922, and the winner receives an added-bonus of an invite to take part in the lucrative Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Its role of honour is littered with some of the best sprinters Britain and Ireland have produced, including Cadeauz Genereaux, Dayjur, Lochsong, Pivotal, Kyllachy, Oasis Dream, Sole Power and Mecca’s Angel. Meanwhile, Alex Greaves became the first female jockey to ride a Group 1 in Britain when dead-heating on Ya Malak in the 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes.
Trends
- The race has been won by horses as young as 2 and as old as 9 since this century
- No trainer or jockey has won the race with two different horses this century
- Mozart (2001) and Oasis Dream (2003) where returned the shortest-priced winners this century at 4/9
- Sole Power was the longest-priced winner this century at 100/1 in 2010, winning again as 11/4 favourite in 2014
Major Contenders
Lady Aurelia
There’s no doubt that Wesley Ward’s flying American filly has the raw-speed to blow the opposition away, but that ability is reflected in her odds-on price. She’s the most likely winner if she turns up but, with there being a chance she won’t, there’s some big each-way prices available about quality horses.
Battaash
Improved out of all recognition in his two runs this season, and deserves plenty of respect after finishing much further in front of Muthmir in a Group 3 at Sandown than Lady Aurelia did at Royal Ascot. Still needs to prove himself at the top-level, but trainer Charlie Hills proved with multiple Group 1 winner Muhaarar that he knows how to train a top-class sprinter.
Marsha
Likeable filly who won the Prix De L’Abbaye last season, and she was sent-off favourite against Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot, but finished third. Won her only course and distance start but, though she should be on the premises again, she does have something to find with both Lady Aurelia and Battaash.
Profitable
Won the 2016 renewal of the Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes, and ran another great race in this year’s renewal when splitting Lady Aurelia and Marsha. However, though he’s won at York, he’s disappointed in the last two renewals of this race, finishing sixth and tenth.
The Tin Man
Won this year’s Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot over 6-furlongs, but unlikely to be suited by the drop back to 5-furlongs on a quicker track.
Priceless
Disappointed for the second time at Ascot when well-behind Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot, but could hit the frame at a decent-odds if back to form here.
Summary
Lady Aurelia will be very hard to beat, but Wesley Ward will need to get her here in the same form she was in at Royal Ascot. Therefore, the lightly-raced Battaash looks a viable each-way alternative at this stage. His Sandown form suggests he could easily give Lady Aurelia a race and, with more improvement likely, there’s a chance he’ll be a sprinter out of the very top-drawer.
Tip: Battaash Each-Way