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 33/1 in the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you read this, the Ebor meeting will be roughly halfway through, and while the earlier days may have delivered some profit, there is still a wealth of high‑quality racing left to enjoy. The headline race of the afternoon is the Coolmore City of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes, scheduled to start at 3:35 p.m. The sprint division across Europe has been a roller‑coaster in recent seasons, with a string of high‑odds winners baffling bettors and leaving many scratching their heads.
The added element of rain on the day only heightens the potential for an upset, making the race ripe for a surprise result. With that in mind, I turned my attention to the back‑markers in search of the most intriguing outsider, and my pick is the Ralph Beckett‑trained five‑year‑old STARLUST.
To call his background unusual would be an understatement, but bear with me as I outline why he could be the day’s most rewarding gamble. Two years ago, Starlust was among the top performers over five furlongs, finishing a close third in this very race behind Bradsell. He later ran a gallant but unlucky effort in the Prix de l'Abbaye and then captured his biggest victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
After a solid fourth place in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, he was retired to a stud farm in Australia, where he covered roughly 70 mares. Unfortunately, his fertility proved disappointing, prompting his owners to make the unconventional decision to bring him back to the track under the guidance of trainer Ralph Beckett. Reviving a career after a stud spell is far from guaranteed, yet Starlust has shown enough promise in his recent runs to suggest he is on an upward trajectory.
His first start back at Carlisle was unremarkable, and the King Charles III Stakes did not produce a great performance, but he did display a noticeable improvement when fitted with a visor for the first time, finishing a close fourth in a Listed event over the same distance at York. That run demonstrated that he still possesses the speed and stamina required for top‑class sprinting. York appears to suit him particularly well.
In previous outings on the course, especially when the ground has been on the softer side, he has shown a genuine affinity. If he is going to re‑establish himself at Group 1 level, the Nunthorpe could provide the perfect platform, and at 33/1 the price is exceptionally attractive. The second tip on the card is the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, a valuable maiden race that takes place at 4:45 p.m.
This contest routinely attracts a strong field, and this year is no exception. However, for a newcomer or a relatively untested runner to triumph, they will need to be of a high caliber to overcome the favorite, OKLAHOMA, trained by Aidan O'Brien. OKLAHOMA is a son of Wootton Bassett out of the prolific mare Hydrangea.
He made a very promising debut, finishing second to the impressive Giant Sequoia, a horse that has already produced a string of winners. Following that performance, he was sent off at very short odds to win a maiden at Killarney, but he could only manage third place in his most recent start, a race that turned out to be a solid effort. The addition of cheekpieces and the larger track surface at York should suit him, and he is expected to be a tough competitor even in a field as strong as this.
While the race may be a stepping stone for him, his presence adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling card. In summary, the Nunthorpe Stakes offers a classic sprint showdown with the potential for a major upset, and Starlust at 33/1 provides the most enticing outsider based on his past Group 1 experience, his proven liking for York, and the recent improvement shown after returning from stud duties. Meanwhile, the Convivial Maiden presents a solid chance for a rising talent to make a name for itself against a high‑profile O'Brien runner. Both selections reflect the unpredictable nature of the Ebor Festival and the opportunities that arise when conditions and form align in unexpected ways.