Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing returns to the Ebor Festival with a fresh set of recommendations for the third day of action at York, highlighted by a bold 33‑to‑1 gamble on the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you read this, the Ebor meeting will be roughly halfway through, and while the early days may have treated you well—or perhaps not—the remaining program still promises plenty of high‑quality racing to enjoy.
The headline race of the day is the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes, scheduled to kick off at 3:35 p.m. This sprint, contested over five furlongs, has become something of a wild card in recent seasons. In the past few years the division has produced a string of surprise winners at long odds, leaving bettors scratching their heads and analysts scrambling for explanations.
The added factor of rain on the day, which has softened the going, only amplifies the potential for an upset and makes the race a prime target for value bets. With that backdrop in mind, I have scoured the form and identified what I consider the most intriguing outsider: the five‑year‑old colt STARLUST, trained by Ralph Beckett.
Describing his career as "quirky" would be an understatement, but his recent trajectory suggests he may be poised for a breakthrough. To understand why, let’s take a brief look back at his résumé. Two seasons ago, Starlust was among the leading five‑furlong performers in the country.
He ran a close third in the Nunthorpe itself, narrowly missing out to Bradsell, and later showed a turn of speed in the Prix de l'Abbaye, where he was denied a win despite appearing to have every advantage. His crowning achievement came at Del Mar, where he captured the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, a victory that confirmed his ability to compete at the highest level. After a solid fourth‑place finish in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, Starlust was retired to the Australian breeding shed.
There, he covered roughly 70 mares, but his fertility proved disappointing to his owners. In an unusual move, they elected to bring him back to the track under the guidance of trainer Ralph Beckett, hoping to revive his racing career while still extracting value from his stud potential. Reviving a horse after a stint at stud is far from guaranteed, yet Starlust has shown enough promise in his comeback to merit serious consideration.
His first race back at Carlisle was modest, but he improved markedly in a subsequent Listed outing over the same distance, finishing a close fourth while wearing a visor for the first time. That performance hinted at a resurgence of his earlier class.
York has historically been a favourable venue for Starlust. He has previously demonstrated a genuine affinity for the course, especially when the ground is on the softer side—conditions that are likely to prevail today given the recent rain. If he can rediscover his Group 1 form, the Nunthorpe could be the perfect stage for a long‑odds upset, and the 33‑to‑1 price reflects the market’s current underestimation of his chances. Turning to the other featured race, the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at 4:45 p.m.
is one of the most lucrative maiden events on the calendar and has attracted a high‑quality field. Among the entrants, the most notable is the Aidan O'Brien‑trained colt OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of the Group 1 winner Hydrangea. Oklahoma impressed on debut, finishing a close second to the future star Giant Sequoia, and followed that with a short‑priced win in a maiden at Killarney. However, his most recent effort saw him drop to third place, suggesting he may still be finding his stride.
The addition of cheekpieces and the larger, more forgiving track surface at York should suit Oklahoma’s running style, potentially allowing him to settle and unleash a finishing kick. Nevertheless, the Convivial Maiden is a strong contest, and an unexposed or lightly raced runner could prove the dark horse.
Bettors should weigh Oklahoma’s proven ability against the depth of the field, keeping an eye on any newcomer that shows a willingness to race up the stands side. In summary, day three of the Ebor Festival offers a blend of proven talent and hidden gems.
Starlust’s unconventional path back to the track, combined with his past successes at York and the softened ground, makes him a compelling 33‑to‑1 selection for the Nunthorpe Stakes. Meanwhile, the Convivial Maiden provides a platform for emerging talent, with Oklahoma standing out as a strong contender but not a certainty. As always, assess the form, consider the conditions, and enjoy the racing.