Nunthorpe Stakes at York

the Ebor Festival continues into its third day, with the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.40 CET the main feature. This is one of the hottest sprints of the year and looks certain to be run at a furious pace. No fewer thsn 4 previous winners are in the line-up - Kingsgate Native (Robert Cowell/ Shane Kelly- 2007!), Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman/ Tony Hamilton, 2008 and 2009) and Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Johnny Murtagh, 2010). Kingsgate Native and Borderlescott are now getting a bit long in the tooth, and although we think they are still both capable of winning good races, probably not this one. It´s a different matter with Sole Power, who was 100-1 when he won here but is now established as one of the best 5 furlong specialists in the world. He would have been our selection, but the heavy overnight rain - it is now good to soft- has changed the complexion of the race. We do not think he will act on this ground and prefer his old rival Shea Shea (Mike de Kock/ Frankie Dettori). Shea Shea beat Sole Power at the Meydan meeting in March but was just caught in the King´s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, with several of these behind. Shea Shea has won on the soft back in South Africa, and de Kock´s runners are now doing well; Frankie has not won a group race since his comeback, but is in good form and has a big chance here.
We shall leave out Sole Power, but certainly fear his stable companion Slade Power (Wayne Lordan), while we also expect two speedy 3yo´s to run well- Moviesta (Bryan Smart/ Paul Mulrennan), who is much improved and beat several of these when winning at Glorious Goodwood, and especially Rosdhu Queen (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore), who was unbeaten last year at two but has struggled a bit this year. This could be her race, and both trainer (whose birthday it is!) and jockey are in great form, as have already seen at this meeting, so Rosdhu Queen looks a very interesting each-way alternative.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Winterlude - Gospel Choir - Kiama Bay
2. Race: Simenon - Times Up - Ahzeemah
3. Race: Pavlosk - Archbishop - City Style
4. Race: Shea Shea - Sole Power - Moviesta
5. Race: Golden Town - Red Galileo - Master The World
6. Race: Machete Mark - Majestic Moon - Hay Dude