Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing returns with his two selections for the third day of York’s Ebor Festival, highlighted by a long‑shot 33‑to‑1 contender in the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you are reading this, the Ebor Festival will already be halfway through. Whether the meeting has treated you kindly so far or not, there is still a wealth of top‑class racing left 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.
The sprint division across Europe has been a whirlwind of upsets in recent seasons, with high‑odds winners emerging regularly and leaving many bettors bewildered. The added factor of rain on the day only heightens the possibility of an unexpected result. With that in mind, I have scoured the form for the most intriguing outsider and have settled on the Ralph Beckett‑trained five‑year‑old STARLUST.
Describing his background as merely "quirky" would be an understatement, so bear with me as I outline why he merits serious consideration. Two years ago, Starlust was among the leading five‑furlong performers, finishing a close third to Bradsell in this very race.
He later ran a valiant effort in the Prix de l'Abbaye, only to be denied a win, and then secured his biggest triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. After a respectable fourth place in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, he was retired to a stud career in Australia where he covered roughly 70 mares. Unfortunately, his fertility results fell short of expectations, prompting his owners to make the unconventional decision to bring him back to the track under the guidance of trainer Ralph Beckett. Reviving a horse’s racing career after a stint at stud does not always succeed, but Starlust has shown enough promise in his recent runs to suggest he is on an upward trajectory.
His first reappearance at Carlisle was modest, and his subsequent run in the King Charles III Stakes was underwhelming. However, he displayed a marked improvement when fitted with a visor for the first time, finishing a near‑best fourth in a Listed contest over the same course and distance. York appears to suit him particularly well; he has previously thrived on the track, especially when the ground offers a degree of give. If he can rediscover his former Group 1 form, the Nunthorpe could present a perfect opportunity to do so, and at 33‑to‑1 the price is undeniably attractive.
Turning to the other race on the card, the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (run at 4:45 p.m.) is one of the richest maiden events on the calendar and has attracted a high‑quality field. Among the entrants, a newcomer or a relatively unexposed runner will need to be of a very high standard to challenge the Aidan O'Brien‑trained colt OKLAHOMA. OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of the mare Hydrangea, made an impressive debut by finishing second to the highly regarded Giant Sequoia, a race that also featured several future winners. He was heavily backed to repeat his maiden success at Killarney but only managed a third‑place finish in a race that has since proven to be a solid stepping stone.
The addition of cheekpieces and the larger track surface should play to his strengths, making him a tough opponent even in a competitive maiden field. While the odds may not be as eye‑catching as Starlust’s, OKLAHOMA’s pedigree and early form suggest he could be a strong contender for the win.
In summary, day three of the Ebor Festival offers a blend of proven talent and potential upsets. Starlust’s unconventional journey from stud back to the track, coupled with his proven ability over five furlongs and a proven affinity for York, makes him a compelling long‑shot in the Nunthorpe. Meanwhile, OKLAHOMA’s strong breeding and promising early performances position him as a serious threat in the Convivial Maiden.
Bettors should weigh the value of the outsider against the consistency of the better‑fancied runners, keeping in mind the variable ground conditions that could influence the outcome of both races.