Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing returns for the third day of York’s Ebor Festival with two selections, one of which is a long‑shot at 33‑to‑1 in the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you read this, the Ebor meeting will be roughly halfway through, and whether the action so far has been kind to you or not, there is still a wealth of high‑quality racing left to enjoy. The headline race for the afternoon is the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes, scheduled to kick off at 3:35 p.m. The sprint division across Europe has been a roller‑coaster in recent seasons, with a string of surprise winners emerging at very short odds and leaving many punters bewildered.
The added factor of rain on the day only heightens the likelihood of an upset, as softer ground often levels the playing field and rewards horses that can handle a testing surface. With that in mind, Blake scoured the form and settled on what he describes as the most intriguing outsider: the five‑year‑old gelding STARLUST, trained by Ralph Beckett. To call his background “quirky” would be an understatement, but the story is worth unpacking. Two years ago, Starlust was among the leading five‑furlong specialists in the country, finishing a close third to Bradsell in this very race and then producing a strong, albeit unlucky, effort in the Prix de l'Abbaye, where he was in contention right up to the finish.
His crowning achievement came later that year when he captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, a victory that cemented his reputation as a top‑class sprinter. After a respectable fourth‑place run in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, Starlust was retired to a stud career in Australia.
He initially covered around 70 mares, but his owners were dissatisfied with his fertility results. In an unusual move, they opted to bring him back to the track under the guidance of trainer Ralph Beckett, hoping to revive his racing credentials. Reviving a horse’s career after a stint at stud is far from guaranteed, yet Starlust has shown enough promise in his comeback to suggest he is still capable of competing at the highest level. His first re‑appearance came at Carlisle, where he finished a modest fourth in a Listed contest, a performance that hinted at his latent ability.
More recently, he ran a near‑best fourth in a Listed race over the same distance at York, this time wearing a visor for the first time. The visor appeared to sharpen his focus, and the result indicated he was gradually sharpening up for a big test. York has historically been a favourable venue for Starlust, especially when the ground is on the softer side.
If he can rediscover that form, the Nunthorpe could present a perfect opportunity to strike at a very attractive price. The combination of his proven sprinting class, his affinity for the course, and the unpredictable nature of the day’s conditions makes him a compelling value bet.
The second selection Blake discusses is the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, slated for a 4:45 p.m. start.
This race is one of the most lucrative maiden events on the calendar and therefore attracts a high‑quality field. Among the entrants, the standout is the Aidan O’Brien‑trained colt OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of the well‑bred mare Hydrangea. Oklahoma made an impressive debut, finishing second to the highly regarded Giant Sequoia, a race that also featured several future winners. He then went off as a short‑priced favourite in a maiden at Killarney, where he was forced into third place despite a strong finish.
The addition of cheekpieces for this race, combined with the larger track at York, should help him settle better and unleash his full cruising speed. Given the strength of the overall field, one of the less‑exposed or newly arrived runners will need to produce a standout performance to upset Oklahoma’s chances. However, the colt’s pedigree, early form, and the tactical advantage of the cheekpieces suggest he will be hard to beat, even in a competitive maiden contest. In summary, Blake’s day‑three picks hinge on two narratives: a high‑odds, potentially revived sprinter in Starlust targeting a Group 1 upset in the Nunthorpe, and a well‑bred, cheekpiece‑enhanced colt in Oklahoma looking to dominate a valuable maiden.
Both selections reflect the unpredictable nature of the Ebor Festival and the opportunities it creates for savvy punters willing to look beyond the obvious favourites.