We move into the second half of the Ebor Festival on Friday and while we wait for the biggest race of the week to come along we have another excellent looking day of racing to enjoy on the Knavesmire on Friday.
The pick of the races is the Nunthorpe Stakes, the straight dash over the minimum trip with two standout runners among the 12 that go to post. We really like this race and that is our only betting interest over the course of the day.
3.35 York
Preview
The big race of Day 3 is undoubtedly the Group 1 Nunthorpe, for the speedsters over the straight 5 furlong track. It’s been billed as the Asfoora versus Big Evs rematch but there’s much more to this race than that. So, what off the big 2? Asfoora, the high class Australian mare, has looked pretty good in 3 races in this country so far this summer. First up, she was 4th in the Temple Stakes at Haydock before landing her first Group 1 in this country, the King Charles III at Royal Ascot. Under a penalty, she again ran with promise at the unconventional Goodwood track but this time couldn’t quite get the better of Big Evs. That rival was 3rd in the Royal Ascot race but turned the tables on better terms at Goodwood but he gives Asfoora 1lb today & seemingly has a much worse draw. That said, he does have a course & distance win to his name. According to the better, Bradsell is the one most likely to spoil the party. A winner of the King Stands last year & 3rd in this race 12 months ago, he’s only had one run this term when coming home in front in a Listed race at Deauville. You’ve got to imagine connections have him ready & his light season means he comes here fresh. I think he’ll go well but he’s a bit short in the betting to get seriously involved. Believing has been running well, twice just behind Asfoora & Big Evs this summer and has the assistance of Ryan Moore who’s easily going to be top jockey this week. Again though, the price is a tad skinny.
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Betting
Starlust is the best bet at the odds. Only a 3 year old, I think he’s a sprinter going places. After an excellent 2 year old campaign in Britain, he went over to America for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf & ran a massive race on his first try over the minimum distance when 3rd to Big Evs despite being poorly positioned for much of the race. This season, he’s kicked on & looks primed to land his first Group 1. He didn’t get the run of the race at Goodwood, finishing 6th, but the track didn’t suit & he was badly bumped early. His 2 wins this term have both been over course & distance so a return here, a place where he also finished 2nd as a 2 year old, has to be a massive positive. He has a good enough draw in 7 & this track suits his typical prominent racing style so I’m struggling to understand why he’s such a big price given the lack of depth, beyond the front 5 in the market.
Tips
Back Starlust (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 19.00 Bet365 (⅕ odds 1-4)
