Hollie returns to set the scene for Friday's premier racing at York's Ebor Festival, headlined by the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes. The forecast, however, raises a note of caution: recent heavy rain on the Knavesmire could alter the complexion of the race and potentially diminish the chances of the lightning‑quick US‑bred sprinter Bacio, who is slated to contest the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at 3:35 on Friday.
Bacio, the Wesley Ward‑trained colt, displayed blistering speed in the three‑year‑old handicap at Royal Ascot, and under normal circumstances the five‑furlong sprint at York would seem tailor‑made for his turn of foot. Yet his reputation has been built on firm, fast ground, and the softened turf could blunt his edge. By contrast, the Aga Khan Studs’ filly Rayevka offers a different skill set. She secured a Group victory on soft going at Longchamp in May and then stepped up to contest the Group One King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she was merely outclassed by a superior opponent.
Rayevka’s versatility and speed suggest she could exploit the yielding surface to turn the tables on Aidan O'Brien’s entry, a colt that struggled on the July Cup track last year and appears to thrive on quicker ground. Turning to the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (3:00) at York, don’t be deterred by a string of runner‑up finishes for Adaay Of Scarlett.
Hugo Palmer’s three‑year‑old has been consistently placed in high‑grade company this season, taking second in the Coventry Stakes, the July Stakes, and the Richmond Stakes at the Goodwood Festival. While he has yet to capture a win at this level, his performances have been nothing short of creditable, and the slightly weaker field this year may provide the perfect platform for him to finally break his duck. The addition of cheekpieces for regular jockey Oisin Murphy should give the horse that extra mental edge, though he will need to adapt to the softer ground that differs from his usual firm‑track preferences.
The filly’s dam performed well on cut‑grass, a factor that could prove advantageous. Aidan O'Brien’s Marco Polo also merits attention. The son of Night Of Thunder, who has only raced once, is clearly highly thought of at Ballydoyle to be entered in a Group Two contest.
As a half‑brother to the useful Saber Strike, Marco Polo could present a serious threat to more seasoned rivals if he manages to settle and unleash his inherited speed. Local trainer Kevin Ryan boasts an impressive record in this particular race, having secured four victories.
His unbeaten colt Matteo appears to be priced on the high side as he pursues a possible hat‑trick. While the step up from the Beverley conditions race he won is significant, Matteo has shown the class to rise to the occasion, and a strong performance is certainly within reach. The dual‑level winner Caballo De Mar, who has proven himself at the highest echelons, may rebound from a sub‑par showing in the Gold Cup when he lines up for the Group Two Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes (2:25).
After a heat‑stress episode forced him to stop abruptly at the Royal meeting, the horse should be fully recovered and ready to tackle the extended two‑mile distance, especially as the rain‑softened ground should suit his stamina‑rich pedigree. Ralph Beckett’s Amiloc remains untested over this distance after a start‑gate mishap that saw him unseat his jockey Hector Crouch in the Goodwood Cup. Nonetheless, the longer trip could bring out his best attributes.
Last season he was a standout, capturing the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes, and a return to form over a mile and a half would be a welcome storyline. In the opening mile at York, the Sky Bet Mile Handicap (1:50), I will be backing my boss Archie Watson’s progressive three‑year‑old Exclusive Code. The colt has shown he can handle a significant weight increase after a recent victory at the Goodwood Festival, and his form on good to soft ground suggests he can stay on the pace and finish strongly. Exclusive Code, a son of the sprinter Blue Point, commanded the race from the front at Goodwood, repelling a strong challenge from Zennor Storm, who finished an eye‑catching second.
While the softer York ground may pose a new test, I anticipate that Wathnan Racing’s gelding will once again prove his mettle. Zennor Storm’s trainer William Haggas also fields Eklleem, who broke well at Ripon and displayed promising early speed. Though his performance in North Yorkshire was impressive, the step up in class and the unfavourable draw could prove challenging for the young horse.
Ralph Beckett’s improving four‑year‑old Master Vintner ticks all the boxes for the mile‑and‑a‑half Assured Data Protection Handicap (4:10). A proven heavy‑ground performer at Goodwood last autumn, the Mastercraftsman‑sired colt sharpened his form dramatically when fitted with blinkers for the first time at Thirsk earlier in the month. He now appears more than capable of handling a five‑pound weight increase and could be a real contender. Finally, Master Builder heads to the Knavesmire buoyed by a recent win over a similar course and distance in May.
The horse could easily rise to the occasion when faced with a higher class field, while Jane Chapple‑Hyam’s chestnut Primo Lara cannot be dismissed after a smooth debut at Ascot. Both horses bring a blend of speed and stamina that could see them thrive on the rain‑softened turf, making the upcoming Nunthorpe Stakes a truly open and exciting contest for punters and racing enthusiasts alike.