As Ebor Festival Week rolls into Friday, Day 3’s headline act the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes, is awash with narrative.
Won last year by Live In The Dream for Steve and Jolene De’Lemos, a potential trip to the Breeders’ Cup awaits the winner.
One of the eye-catching contests of any summer, two favourites stand out from the pack, but the challengers await to throw a spanner in the works, in a tale of familiar foes.
Back on Evs keel; Asfoora challenge
Having rather faded in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot as 11/4f, Glorious Goodwood saw Big Evs back on top.
Exacting revenge on a flying Asfoora by a shoulder length in the King George Qatar Stakes, its was just business as usual for Mick Appleby and his hugely likeable colt.
Still only 3yo, Big Evs has only been beaten once since last years Flying Childers at the St. Leger Festival.
That’s got to be the race of the week 🤩
Big Evs just holds off Asfoora to take the King George Qatar Stakes 🏆#ITVRacing | @Goodwood_Races | @TomMarquand pic.twitter.com/ZAH4s9kUYh
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 2, 2024
His own sights will already be on a winning return at Doncaster next month, but before then, Evs looks to make it a York double this term.
However, just like Big Evs at Goodwood, Australian raider Asfoora will be keen to regain the upper hand, with the ground very much playing ball.
The duo are set to go off the favourites for the winning post once more, but the company they will keep in the Nunthorpe should be fierce.
Familiar foes
Of the current start list of 15 runners, six featured in the King Charles III Stakes, of which, the same number went head to head in the King George last month.
So there is a real feel of the familiar about this contest.
Not least for Believing, who went head to head with both Big Evs and Asfoora at the Royal Meet and Goodwood, and who here comes with Ryan Moore in tow.
The duo rode to victory in last month Castletown Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh, as Regional eyes a third win of the season.
Callum Rodriguez and Regional were bridesmaids at Royal Ascot to Asfoora, and though almost a year since his last victory, it feels like a result is coming for one of the elder statesmen here.
Then of course, there is the aforementioned defending champ, Live In The Dream.
Though winless since his stunning 28/1 defeat of the sadly-departed Highfield Princess, the 5yo gelding showed enough promise in the King George to suggest a strong defence of the crown.
Meanwhile, Bradsell – also a conqueror of Highfield Princess last season at a big price – makes his return to UK turf a year on from finishing third.
Lightly raced, trainer Archie Watson drops his runner in here, carrying a good deal of support at 8/1 with 888sport and comes here off victory in Deauville earlier this month.
What is clear, the contenders are circling for the this year’s renewal of the Nunthorpe, which could be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Big Evs and Asfoora may not have it all their own way on the Knavesmire.
The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes takes place on Friday at 3:35pm UK time.
