15:35 York

Friday 23 August 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 57.34s

(3)

Bradsell¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 116| C| D

3/1

Very smart performance when a taking winner of the King's Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting in 2023. Prominent in the betting when third in this next start and warmed up for this with a ready winner down in listed company on reappearance 19 days ago. Low-mileage 4-y-o should be in the mix.

Form: 33137-1

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(4)

Clarendon House^p1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: P J McDonald| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 111| CD

40/1

Blotted his copybook in the Epsom Dash (virtually refused to race) but lot to like about his victories either side of that in hot C&D handicap and Cork listed contest. Failed to get it right at the stalls again back here and this is a tough assignment in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 341015

(1)

Ponntos^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: M Barzalona| T: M N Nieslanik| OR: 108| D

16/1

Been around a while now but this front runner is an improved performer as a 6-y-o, readily completing a hat-trick in Chantilly Group 2 in June. Took off early and was unsurprisingly brushed aside in the King George Stakes at Goodwood last time.

Form: 540118

(10)

Washington Heights⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 112| D

14/1

Strong-travelling sort who was well-served by front-running ride when taking the Abernant Stakes on return (from Mill Stream) and acquitted himself with plenty of credit behind that rival in the Duke of York, both 6f. Disappointing how little he found off the bridle at Ascot and now back at 5f.

Form: 441-140

(14)

Big Evs²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 113| BF| CD

7/1

Ended terrific 2-y-o campaign with a Group 1 Breeders' Cup success. Landed the odds without any fuss on C&D reappearance and since gone 1-1 with Asfoora at Royal Ascot and Goodwood (just held on). Flopped in this race last year and must now concede weight to that rival this time.

Form: 011-131

(7)

Starlust²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 112| CD

12/1

Three-time winner over 6f at 2 yrs and progressed into a smart sprinter this year, justifying support in fine style over C&D (listed) last month. Behind several of these in the King George Stakes at Goodwood and this no easy race to bounce back in, for all this track will be more suitable.

Form: 361816

(8)

Asfoora²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Henry Dwyer| OR: 112| D

6/4

Very smart sprinter and multiple Group winner from Australia who, sharper for a run in the Temple, proved better than ever when winning Group 1 King Charles at Royal Ascot, with Regional, Big Evs and Believing directly behind. Emerged with lots of credit at Goodwood and now pick of the weights.

Form: 204412

(6)

Azure Blue⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Mulrennan| T: M Dods| OR: 109| C| D

28/1

Very hard to knock her strike rate and she showed a willing attitude for latest success (dead-heat) on first try over 5f in listed company in June. Big career-best effort came at this track last year but a huge personal best required at this level.

Form: 116-751

(13)

Believing^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: G Boughey| OR: 111| BF| D

7/1

Twice fourth in Group 1s at Royal Ascot (to Asfoora first occasion) before resuming winning ways with her sights lowered slightly at the Curragh last month. Carried a penalty so lost very little in defeat when a keeping-on third behind the big 2 at Goodwood and no reason why she won't go well.

Form: 914413

(9)

Makarova^p,t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch| T: E Walker| OR: 105| D

25/1

Had Live In The Dream behind her when back to winning ways in listed company at Sandown (5f, soft) last month. Shaped as if still in top form (short of room at crucial stage) when 2¼ lengths third of 9 to Believing at the Curragh but no reason to think she's much better than her current level.

Form: 6-72713

(12)

So Majestic^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: Miss K McGivern| OR: 90| D

125/1

Useful filly in Ireland but on a losing sequence of 14 and that is most unlikely to change here. Usual hood left off.

Form: 383724

(11)

Frost At Dawn¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Knight| OR: 106| D

66/1

Huge career best when winning 15-runner Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at Meydan in March. Seen to good effect that day and in nothing like the same form upped to 6f later that month. Tough task on balance of her form.

Form: 2-73210

Non-Runners

(5)

Live In The Dream²¹

Weight: 9-13| Age: 5

T: A West J: Sean Kirrane

(2)

Regional³⁴

Weight: 9-13| Age: 6

T: E Bethell J: Callum Rodriguez

Forecasts

Asfoora (6/4), Bradsell (3/1), Believing (7/1), Big Evs (7/1), Regional (8/1), Starlust (12/1), Live In The Dream (12/1), Washington Heights (14/1), Ponntos (16/1), Makarova (25/1), Azure Blue (28/1), Clarendon House (40/1), Frost At Dawn (66/1), So Majestic (125/1)

As is often the case at the top of the sprinting division there's plenty of collateral form to go on. Having beaten several of these at Ascot, ASFOORA emerged with bundles of credit when a short-head second to Big Evs at Goodwood and on 6 lb better terms, she's poised to reverse the form. Believing also ties nicely in with that pair, while Bradsell may actually emerge as the chief threat.