Kevin Blake returns to the Sky Sports Racing studio with a fresh set of recommendations for the third day of the Ebor Festival at York, highlighted by a daring 33‑to‑1 gamble on the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you read this, the festival will be roughly halfway through, and while the early races may have delivered mixed fortunes, there remains a wealth of high‑quality action to be contested. The headline attraction of the day is the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes, scheduled to roll out at 3:35 p.m.
The sprint division across Europe has been notoriously unpredictable in recent seasons, with long‑odds winners emerging on a regular basis and leaving many bettors bewildered. The added variable of rain on the day only amplifies the likelihood of an upset, as softer ground often levels the playing field and rewards horses that can adapt quickly. With that backdrop in mind, my eye is drawn to the most intriguing outsider on the card: the five‑year‑old gelding STARLUST, trained by Ralph Beckett.
Describing his career as "quirky" would be an understatement, but the horse’s unconventional journey makes him a compelling candidate for a big‑price win. A quick look back two seasons reveals that Starlust was once among the top performers over five furlongs. He ran a tight third to Bradsell in this very race, missed out narrowly in the Prix de l'Abbaye despite being in contention, and captured his most prestigious victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Those performances marked him as a genuine Group‑level sprinter.
After a respectable fourth place in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, Starlust was retired to a stud career in Australia, where he covered roughly 70 mares. Unfortunately, his fertility proved disappointing, prompting his owners to make the unusual decision to bring him back to the track under the guidance of Ralph Beckett. Reviving a horse after a stint at stud is a gamble in itself, yet Starlust has shown enough promise in his recent outings to suggest the move could pay dividends. His first run back at Carlisle was underwhelming, and his subsequent attempt in the King Charles III Stakes did not go as hoped.
However, he displayed a marked improvement when fitted with a visor for the first time, finishing a close fourth in a Listed race over the same distance at Carlisle. That performance hinted that the equipment change, combined with a familiar distance, might be unlocking latent ability.
York has historically been a venue where Starlust thrives, particularly when the ground offers a bit of give. The combination of a track that suits his stride and a softer surface today could be the perfect recipe for a return to Group‑1 competitiveness. At 33‑to‑1, he represents a high‑risk, high‑reward option for those willing to back a horse with a unique backstory. Turning to the other feature race of the day, the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (run at 4:45 p.m.) offers a substantial purse for a maiden contest and has attracted a deep, talented field.
Among the runners, the most noteworthy is the Aidan O'Brien‑trained colt OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of the accomplished mare Hydrangea. Oklahoma impressed on debut, finishing second to the highly regarded Giant Sequoia, and later secured a short‑priced win in a maiden at Killarney before slipping to third in a subsequent start.
While Oklahoma is the clear market favourite, the race will be fiercely contested. The addition of cheekpieces and the larger, more expansive track layout should play to his strengths, making him a difficult opponent to beat even amid strong competition. Nevertheless, with the depth of the field, a less‑exposed runner could emerge as a surprise contender, especially if they handle the track conditions better than expected. In summary, day three of the Ebor Festival promises a blend of established talent and potential upsets.
Starlust's unconventional path—from top‑level sprinter to stud and back to the track—makes him a fascinating long‑shot in the Nunthorpe, while Oklahoma remains the horse to watch in the Convivial Maiden. Bettors should weigh the unique circumstances of each race, the impact of the rain‑softened ground, and the form trajectories of the participants when placing their selections.