Race Four: The Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes - Group One - Five Furlongs - Runners:

It would be invitation only for some of the quickest racehorses in training as the Knavesmire played host to its yearly speed test, the Nunthorpe Stakes. The Group One which takes place over the minimum distance of five furlongs has been the scene of some memorable performances over the decades from some great sprinters. The likes of Lochsong and Dayjur in the 1990's blazed a trail for Mozart and Oasis Dream in the 2000's while Battaash and Mecca's Angel won two renewals each in the 2010's. There is always a real international feel as stables from around the world fly into North Yorkshire for this prestigious contest. Shock winners have played a part in the race's history over the years as well as some brilliant stories of success. Last year, the crack Australian mare Asfoora completed her clean sweep of the UK's big sprints with a dominant success under Oisin Murphy.

The eyes of the world would be tuned in for this year's edition, which was lead by last year's runner-up Ain't Nobody from the Kevin Ryan stable. The four year old has been largely out of form since his Royal Ascot win in 2024, but his second place last year came out of the blue so it could happen again. Jim Goldies' American Affair started from the basement level and reached the top level last year by winning a Group One at Royal Ascot. The smooth travelling six year old has won at York in the past, so this course will suit his strengths. Cover Up was previously known as a high class handicapper for the Ed and Simon Crisford stable, but he is another to elevate his form this year by winning a Group Two in Dubai at the start of this year. Despite this, he has finished in the midfield in his last two attempts at Group One level. The self professed "sprint king" Robert Cowell has worked Jakajaro back his very best this year, winning a pair of handicaps including one at York. He ran an excellent race when a close fifth in the King Charles III Stakes at Ascot. The very likeable JM Jungle went from tough handicapper to a Group race winner as he scored at Goodwood last summer and took sixth in this race. Since then, he hasn't quite at his best, albeit in pattern race company. The first of a big Irish challenge would come from the smaller scale yard of Katie McGivern with Kendall Roy. The useful handicapper ran well on his previous visit to York last year, but broke through at pattern level by winning a listed race in June so has now earned a shot at the bigger league. The seven year old Mitbaahy has had an interrupted career of late, but Charlie Hills's gelding is still capable of classy form, as shown when fifth in the Wokingham Handicap at Ascot in June. Karl Burke's Night Raider has always been a fast horse, but a gelding operation has been the making of him this year. The five year old won some good early season sprints and looks to improve on his fourth in this race last year. An optimistic outsider would be David Loughnane's talented handicapper Partisan Hero. The six year old has plenty of stamina having won over a mile, but coped with the drop to five furlongs with a win at this venue in May but looks a bit more exposed than others. Ponntos has flown the flag for Czechia around the world over the last couple of seasons and has performed well. The eight year old is a quick horse on his day and finished fifth in this race two years ago. Another handicapper to bridge the gap to the big league would be Clive Cox's Redorange. The promising four year old has finished in the frame of listed contests in the past and a race of this nature could be an optimal one.