The Nunthorpe Stakes is the feature race on the third day of York’s Ebor festival and this year’s renewal of the Group 1 looks like a cracking clash between some of the fastest horses in training. Check out our runner-by-runner guide to the contest, alongside bet365’s latest offer where new customers can claim £50 in free bets when they bet £10.
All odds are bet365 – Prices correct at the time of publish
1. ACKLAM EXPRESS (Nigel Tinkler, Rowan Scott) 33/1
Hasn’t won since taking the Roses Stakes as a juvenile at this meeting back in 2020; losing run at 12, but he ran right up to his best form when a 200/1 third in the King’s Stand on penultimate run. The 1-2 that day don’t turn up here, but Acklam Express once again outlined his inconsistent profile when only seventh in the King George at Glorious Goodwood last time. Place claims if back to his best but difficult to know which horse is going to turn up.
2. AINSDALE (Julie Camacho, Connor Beasley) 150/1
All four wins have come on either soft or heavy ground, the three most recent successes coming in field sizes of 5, 4 and 3. Switched stables prior to this season and shaped with promise when a 50/1 fourth in the Group 3 Chipchase at Newcastle on seasonal/yard debut. This rates a tougher assignment, however, and he’s up against it on ground this quick.
3. CLARENDON HOUSE (Robert Cowell, Ray Dawson) 50/1
Has gained all five of his wins in field sizes of 6 or less, the most recent victory coming in a three-runner conditions event at Beverley in June. Upped to pattern level in a Chantilly Listed race and the Group 2 King George the last twice, finishing fifth and sixth. This is tougher and the large field also doesn’t do him any favours.
4. DRAGON SYMBOL (Roger Varian, David Egan) 20/1
High-class sprinter for Archie Watson last season, being demoted to second in the Commonwealth Cup before placed efforts in the July Cup, King George and in this race behind Winter Power. Hasn’t quite matched his best form in four starts for Roger Varian, albeit did manage to justify odds-on favouritism in a four-runner conditions race at Hamilton last time. This is a huge jump in class, but that win should have done his confidence the world of good.
5. EMARAATY ANA (Kevin Ryan, Kevin Stott) 16/1
Almost caused a shock when a 40/1 second to Winter Power in this race 12 months ago, and he backed that showing up when landing the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock next time out. Form figures since then read an underwhelming 40006, however, finishing comfortably held in the July Cup at Newmarket last time. Highest-rated runner in the field but his recent form suggests he’s below a winning level and 5f is sharp enough nowadays.
6. KHAADEM (Charles Hills, Ryan Moore) 12/1
Has done well this season since returning from a spell in Dubai, building on his Group 3 Palace House win when landing the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood three weeks ago. Both of those victories came by just a neck winning margin, however, and there’s no doubt that he’s a horse that goes particularly well fresh, so this relatively quick reappearance looks a potential negative.
7. LAZULI (Charlie Appleby, William Buick) 25/1
Had Acklam Express directly behind when claiming a Dubai Group 2 earlier this year, and he’s performed better than the bare result in both starts since returning to Britain. Finding his stands side track position against him in the King’s Stand and then having to concede weight all round in the King George Stakes (beaten just over a length). Might be reaching peak form now and he’s a lively each-way contender here.
8. RAASEL (Michael Appleby, Tom Marquand) 12/1
Has proven a credit to his connections in the last 12 months, producing impressive form figures of 11111512112 climbing 36lb in the ratings. Only just failed to get up when sent off favourite for the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time, and there’s very little to separate him and Khaadem on that running. Obvious claims in his current mood but any overnight rainfall wouldn’t be appreciated (best on Good To Firm).
York Racecourse,
Knavesmire Rd,
York,
North Yorkshire YO23 1EX.
United Kingdom.
York Racecourse
Known as ‘The Knavesmire’, racing has been staged over this turf since 1731 and is without question one of the most attractive racecourses in the world. The highlight of each season is the prestigious three-day Ebor Meeting in August which features three Group 1 races. The Dante Meeting in May, also over three days, is another immensely popular fixture featuring a mix of classic trials, pattern races for older horses and top-class handicaps.
9. EBRO RIVER (Hugo Palmer, Jamie Spencer) 40/1
Smart juvenile who claimed Group 1 honours in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last August. Below his best in his first three starts this year but was much better with first-time blinkers applied in Listed company at Chester last time. That headgear is retained today, and the Chester form received a boost when the second scored at Pontefract (Listed) over the weekend. One of the more interesting outsiders dropped back to 5f with any rain a huge plus.
10. NEW YORK CITY (Aidan O’Brien, Wayne Lordan) 66/1
Twice a winner at Navan earlier this year, bolting up at odds of 2/9F in maiden company before supplementing that with a Listed success. His form has taken a downturn since then though, finishing just over 3l off the leaders in a Curragh Group 3 last time. This is tougher and Ryan Moore jumps ship to ride Khaadem. Can only be watched.
11. HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (John Quinn, Jason Hart) 10/1
Has now won three of her last four starts, running a big race when sixth in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot before landing the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville twelve days ago. Goes particularly well here at York, where her form figures read 321, but her form has almost exclusively come over 6f+ and this looks a big ask on just her second start over the minimum trip.
12. WINTER POWER (Tim Easterby, David Allan) 20/1
Course specialist who brought her record at the track to an impressive 3-4 when landing this race 12 months ago, following a prep victory in the Listed City Walls. Her form has somewhat nosedived since then, however, producing unappealing form figures of 08806. Return to the Knavesmire didn’t spark an improvement when only sixth in the City Walls last time and she’s got over 4l to make up with Royal Aclaim on that running.
13. FLOTUS (Simon & Ed Crisford, Silvestre De Sousa) 12/1
Speedy juvenile who was only caught late when attempting to slip the field in last year’s Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket. Hasn’t really kicked on as a 3yo, for all that she did finish a respectable third in the Commonwealth Cup on penultimate run and followed that up with a 6f Group 3 win at this track. Respected on that form for all that it’s a concern that she disappointed on her only previous start over this trip.
14. ROYAL ACLAIM (James Tate, Andrea Atzeni) 13/8
Yet to taste defeat in three starts to date, seeing her RPRs taking a huge step forward on each occasion. Won with bags in hand on turf debut at Bath in June and followed that up with victory in the City Walls over course and distance when once again travelling like a potential superstar. Light on experience but she falls into the could be anything category at this stage of her career and with further improvement likely rates as the one to beat.
15. THE PLATINUM QUEEN (Richard Fahey, Hollie Doyle) 11/4
Struggled when sent off 66/1 for the Queen Mary earlier this season but she’s won all three starts otherwise, bolting up in a valuable course and distance novice before producing an even more impressive performance to score at Glorious Goodwood last time. This represents a huge class jump but she’s only got one style of racing and it’ll be more than likely to her benefit off just 8st 2lb. Aiming to become the first 2yo winner since Kingsgate Native (2007).
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Verdict
A Nunthorpe probably lacking the strength in depth of previous renewals but there’s the potential for one of these runners to stamp themselves as the new star of the sprinting division. Connections have sportingly supplemented The Platinum Queen for this and expect her to produce her usual bullet from a gun impression. It’ll undoubtedly be harder to dominate against her elders, however, and although ever lighter on race experience it is the 3yo ROYAL ACLAIM who rates the one to beat. James Tate’s filly has looked imperious on the track in three starts to date, cruising to victory at Bath before once again showcasing an exceptionally high cruising speed when landing the City Walls over this course and distance. We’re simply scratching the surface of this horse’s potential and she looks like a Group 1 winner in waiting. Godolphin’s Lazuli looks overpriced on his King George Stakes fourth and can chase the selection home, whilst Ebro River wouldn’t be without a place chance if the heavens opened overnight.
- ROYAL ACLAIM
- Lazuli
- The Platinum Queen
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