Kevin Blake of Sky Sports Racing returns with a pair of recommendations for the third day of York’s Ebor Festival, highlighted by a long‑shot 33‑to‑1 gamble in the Nunthorpe Stakes. By the time you read 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 high‑quality racing left to enjoy.
The headline race for the day is the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes, scheduled for a 3:35 start. It needs little introduction: the European sprint scene has been a roller‑coaster in recent years, with cheap outsiders repeatedly upsetting the odds and leaving bettors bewildered. The added factor of rain on the day only increases the likelihood of an upset, as softer ground often levels the playing field.
With that in mind, I have scoured the form and identified what I consider the most intriguing outsider – the Ralph Beckett‑trained five‑year‑old STARLUST. Describing his background as "quirky" would be an understatement, but bear with me as I outline why he could be the day’s surprise package. Two years ago Starlust was among the better five‑furlong runners in the country, finishing a close third to Bradsell in the same Nunthorpe contest. He then ran a valiant, albeit unlucky, race in the Prix de l'Abbaye, holding his own against top‑class sprinters, before securing 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 career in Australia, where he covered roughly 70 mares. Unfortunately, his fertility proved below expectations, prompting his connections to make the unconventional decision to bring him back to the track under the guidance of Ralph Beckett. Reviving a horse’s racing career after a stint at stud is far from guaranteed, but Starlust’s recent performances suggest he is on an upward trajectory.
His first run back at Carlisle was modest, and the King Charles III Stakes did not go his way, but he showed marked improvement when equipped with a visor for the first time, delivering a near‑best fourth in a Listed event over the same distance at York. York appears to suit him particularly well; he has previously performed strongly on this course, especially when the ground is on the softer side. If he can find his stride again at Group 1 level, the Nunthorpe could be the perfect occasion to back him at a very generous price.
Turning to the British Stallion Farms EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (run at 4:45), this race is one of the most lucrative maiden contests on the calendar and has attracted a deep, high‑quality field. Among the entries, the most notable is the Aidan O'Brien‑trained colt OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of the excellent mare Hydrangea. Oklahoma impressed on debut, finishing a close second to the highly regarded Giant Sequoia, a race that also produced several subsequent winners.
He then entered a maiden at Killarney as a short‑priced favourite and managed only a third‑place finish, despite the race being a solid stepping stone. The addition of cheekpieces for this run, combined with the larger, more testing track at York, should help him settle and could see him become a tough competitor even in a strong maiden field.
However, to prevail over the well‑balanced group, Oklahoma will need to produce a performance that matches or exceeds his early promise. In summary, the day’s headline race offers a classic sprint showdown with the potential for a big outsider upset – Starlust at 33‑to‑1 – while the Convivial Maiden presents a battle between a proven Group‑level prospect in Oklahoma and a field of eager, untested talent. Both races promise excitement, and a little strategic betting could yield rewarding returns.