15:35 York

Friday 25 August 2017

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1516:50

Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 57.97s

(5)

Alpha Delphini^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: G Lee| T: B Smart| OR: 109| BF| CD

50/1

Has won five times in his career, all over 5f, and recorded a hat-trick last year, culminating in a win in Listed company at Beverley. Has run well in Group company subsequently but yet to win at Group level and he was beaten in a Class 3 last time.

Form: 2-83692

(4)

Cotai Glory¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: S De Sousa| T: C Hills| OR: 108| BF| D

50/1

Won a Group 3 at Newbury last year, just getting the better of Alpha Delphini but generally struggles at this level and he's been a little below form this year. Top jockey back on board.

Form: 0-90734

(12)

Final Venture²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 111| D

40/1

Listed winner at Haydock in June and impressive out in Meydan earlier in the season. Yet to place in four starts in Group company though and well beaten last time out at Goodwood behind Battaash.

Form: 419527

(10)

Goldream^v1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: M Harley| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 107| BF| D

66/1

Winner of the Prix De l'Abbaye back in 2015 following success in the King's Stand earlier that season. Seemingly lost his edge at the very top level and needs fast ground to be seen at his best. Wears a first-time visor.

Form: 320363

(1)

Profitable²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: James Doyle| T: C G Cox| OR: 116| BF| CD

8/1

Recorded a Group race hat-trick culminating with a win in the King's Stand in 2016 and been unlucky this year, bumping into smart ones in the shape of Battaash and Lady Aurelia. May struggle to reverse the form with them here but each-way claims.

Form: 467-222

(6)

Take Cover²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-11| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 111| CD

25/1

In good form in 2016, winning a Goodwood Group 2 before finishing third in this race. C&D winner of a Listed contest this year but not quite been in the same form and has a 3¾L deficit to reverse with Battaash from last time out; needs fast ground.

Form: 60-7514

(7)

Washington Dc^b,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

20/1

Back to form with a win in Group 3 company at the Curragh last time and was the subject of market support. Tends to struggle a little at this level and lacks the finishing speed of some of his rivals; needs to build on his win last time out.

Form: 126051

(9)

Battaash²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 122| D

11/4

Improved markedly this term and has picked apart some useful fields on three starts in varying conditions. Versatile tactics wise too and made short work of many of these rivals at Goodwood, likely to take step up to Group 1 company in his stride.

Form: 333-111

(8)

Marsha²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 114| BF| CD

8/1

Won 2016's Prix De l'Abbaye, with the retired Mecca's Angel and several of these rivals in behind. Landed Group 3 on return to action this year but has been a shade disappointing subsequently and has to reverse form with Battaash and Lady Aurelia.

Form: 21-1323

(2)

Priceless²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 108| D

33/1

Group 2 winner at Haydock in May but failed to fire on two subsequent runs and has plenty on her plate to reverse the form with many in this field. Kirby may have had the choice with her and Profitable, suggesting a return to form could be imminent.

Form: 1-15109

(3)

Lady Aurelia⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: Wesley Ward| D

10/11

Sensationally bolted up at Royal Ascot last year and impressive when winning again this time. Kept in the country especially for this and her chance is largely reliant on if the ground dries out. Should go well if there's firm in the going.

Form: 1113-11

Non-Runners

(11)

Duke Of Firenze²⁰

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: D C Griffiths J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

Lady Aurelia (10/11), Battaash (11/4), Marsha (8/1), Profitable (8/1), Washington Dc (20/1), Take Cover (25/1), Priceless (33/1), Final Venture (40/1), Cotai Glory (50/1), Alpha Delphini (50/1), Goldream (66/1), Duke Of Firenze (66/1)

BATTAASH has been very impressive this season, getting better with every start, and he produced a classy performance last time, putting the race to bed with a devastating turn of foot. Lady Aurelia would have a big chance if the ground dries out to anything like good-to-firm. Many of the others are held on recent form but there's a suspicion Marsha hasn't been quite at her best on recent starts and it would be no surprise if she was in the first three home.