Rapid from the gates, rapid throughout the first three furlongs and ruthlessly determined for the final two, the kingpin of Adam West's small Epsom base strained every nerve and sinew to lift the little-known Sean Kirrane to a momentous triumph. A length behind was last year's heroine Highfield Princess (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), with another 3/4 of a length back to fellow headline-maker TDN Rising Star Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) in third as the big guns wilted in his wake.

“I never thought it was possible to win. We were laughing about there being six places and how his odds were so skinny,” West said of the 28-1 winner, who now has his ticket to Santa Anita having mastered this “Win and You're In” contest. “I think we'll go to the Breeders' Cup, as I think he's 10 pounds better on a turning track. That's a big statement, but I do. He can get a breather round a bend, whereas on these straight courses he usually can't but he just nicked enough today.”

“We were going to take him for a race at Del Mar but we costed it, we're not a big yard and it was too expensive to go. Trying to make ends meet to try to get that money together and both get him over there and get him back is just all taken care of and it's some rollercoaster.”

Starting his ascent in the ratings with a brace of handicap wins last spring, Live In The Dream managed a second in Sandown's Listed Scurry S. on his black-type bow last June but was on the shelf come August with no sign that he would ultimately be able to mix it at this level. Despite that, the extremities of the sprinting and staying divisions still remain open to the possibility of these rare David and Goliath moments and this was another to add to a small yet precious collection.

In each start during this transformative season, he had carried Kirrane who had a three-pound claim for the gelding's two wins at Lingfield and Pontefract in March and April and it has proven a partnership made in heaven. Wearing his heart on his sleeve every time, the chestnut who was a bargain £24,000 buy at the 2020 Goffs Sportsman's Sale was worn down late by Vadream (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) in Newmarket's G3 Palace House S., by Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Wednesday's handicap winner Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in Haydock's G2 Temple S. and when fourth in the Listed Prix du Cercle at Deauville in August.

This time, the pace-favouring flat track at York and the good-to-firm ground presented the ideal scenario for his unflinching style of racing and by the time he had put in second and third-furlong splits of :10.21 and :10.46 he had already dragged most into an outright brawl. From there, it was merely a case of how tired he would finish off but his closing effort was comfortably enough to see it out and give York's revered Ebor Festival one of it's most heartwarming stories in recent times.

“It's a surreal feeling and it hasn't really sunk in yet, it just feels like winning another race at the moment,” the 22-year-old Kirrane said. “The feeling in the last 60 yards when I could hear the cracks of the whips behind me but I knew I wasn't going to get caught was like nothing I've ever felt before. A massive amount of credit goes to the horse, he's really stepped up this year and it's been an incredible journey for all of us.”

“Adam has produced this horse brilliantly in top form today,” he added. “He needed the run out in France last time in a listed race, as he'd had a month off. It brought him forward perfectly. Every time you go out on him you quietly fancy him, as he is so effective over a fast five and York can play into the hands of front runners on this ground. We make lengths out of the gate and ride him aggressively, but he has a turn of foot as well. We try to take them off their feet in the closing stages, but today I was able to keep him on the bridle longer than I ever have as nothing ever came to me at the furlong pole. When I took him off it he found another gear again.”

For West, the outcome represents a major turning point for his 45-strong stable which like so many others of its size is struggling with the financial climate at present. “I never thought anything like this would happen,” he said. “For seven years I've been training and we've had him from a yearling and the journey has been incredible. It's a really tough game at the moment and you look at how things are and you think 'is this a future?' and then you get something like this and it changes everything.

“Epsom is the perfect mix of town and country for me, I can be out with my ferrets in 20 minutes one way and out in town with my owners 20 minutes the other. The owners in that tight-knit community have been fantastic. All this week and the last six months Epsom has been quoted saying it needs a Group 1 winner and they have just had one. The BHA do their best to govern and mind us as trainers, but realistically unless you are on the top, top scale, training is not a viable option. But money is not why any of us do it, we do it because we love the animals and we love the whole sport.”

John Quinn said of the 7-5 favourite Highfield Princess, who put in her customary honest effort, “The winner got away and well done to them,” he said. “She's run a fantastic race and she's a horse of two lifetimes. As long as she's alright we'll go to the Curragh [for the G1 Flying Five], that's the plan.”

Archie Watson said of Bradsell, “Probably the draw has worked against us, because the winner has blazed a trail and stuck on really well and that has probably favoured Highfield Princess in our battle for second. He's run a huge race and I would imagine he'll go to the Flying Five, [that] will be next. The Abbaye would probably be my less-favoured race, I would prefer to go Ireland and then America, but we'll see.”

Pedigree Notes

Live In The Dream's unraced dam Approaching Autumn, who is also responsible for the Listed Scarbrough S. runner-up Live In The Moment (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}), is a daughter of the Listed Pinnacle S.-winning middle-distance performer Autumn Wealth (Ire) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}). A descendant of the GI E. P. Taylor S. and G2 Sun Chariot S. winner Braiswick (GB) (King Of Spain {GB}), she has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Proconsul (GB), a yearling filly by Elzaam (Aus) who was a €27,000 purchase by Sam Hoskins at the Goffs November Foal Sale, and a filly foal by James Garfield (Ire). Joe Foley's Ballyhane Stud acquired Approaching Autumn for 35,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2022.

Friday, York, Britain
COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE S.-G1, £533,750, York, 8-25, 2yo/up, 5fT, 0:56.87, g/f.
1–LIVE IN THE DREAM (IRE), 139, g, 4, by Prince Of Lir (Ire)
         1st Dam: Approaching Autumn (GB), by New Approach (Ire)
         2nd Dam: Autumn Wealth (Ire), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
         3rd Dam: Prickwillow, by Nureyev
   1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN, 1ST GROUP 1 WIN.
(€4,000 Ylg '20 GOFFEB; £24,000 Ylg '20 GOFSPT). O-Steve &
Jolene de'Lemos; B-Lorna Doyle (IRE); T-Adam West; J-Sean
Kirrane. £302,690. Lifetime Record: 18-6-2-2, $538,881. Werk
   Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree,
   or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Highfield Princess (Fr), 136, m, 6, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–
Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill. (29,000gns RNA Ylg '18
TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John
Quinn. £114,756.
3–Bradsell (GB), 137, c, 3, Tasleet (GB)–Russian Punch (GB), by
Archipenko. TDN Rising Star. (12,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM;
£47,000 2yo '22 GOFTY). O-Victorious Racing; B-Mrs D O'Brien
(GB); T-Archie Watson. £57,432.
Margins: 1, 3/4, HF. Odds: 28.00, 1.40, 4.50.
Also Ran: Makarova (GB), Regional (GB), Equality (GB), Khaadem (Ire), Get Ahead (GB), Nymphadora (GB), Twilight Calls (GB), Queen Me (Ire), Ladies Church (GB), Dramatised (Ire), Big Evs (Ire), Tees Spirit (GB), Aesop's Fables (Ire). VIDEO.

BOMBSHELL in the Nunthorpe

28/1 outsider Live In The Dream takes down the big guns with a stunning pillar to post success in the Group 1 @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

What a day for Adam West and @sb_kirrane

Remarkable scenes on the Knavesmire! pic.twitter.com/U7QyZtEYYE

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 25, 2023

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Having come up short against the revitalised TDN Rising Star Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) in the G1 King's Stand S. and finished third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. at the beginning and end of Royal Ascot, there was a question mark over whether the formidable mare retained her level of last season. Having brushed off those doubts when regaining her dominant aura in the G2 King George S. at Goodwood earlier this month, she returns to the track at which she also won the 2022 G2 1895 Duke Of York S.

“It's a spicy race,” Quinn said. “When a three-year-old wins a King's Stand you have to sit up and take notice and the two-year-old is a Royal Ascot winner and a Goodwood winner and looks really tough, hardy and mature, so they are two and something else could pop up who at their best could be in the mix. Goodwood was very good, so we're hopeful anyway. She's done so much and people expect plenty from her, but she seems in good nick and she loves this place, which is all you can ask.”

Bradsell, who also went through a fallow period after his G2 Coventry S. success last June, was remarkably having his first try at this five-furlong trip when upstaging Highfield Princess at this year's Royal Ascot but he has to do it on the flat, fast strip which offers such a contrast to the Berkshire venue. “We thought he might not have as much early speed as the Australian sprinters, but he showed more speed than ever before and really thrived down in trip,” Hollie Doyle said of the King's Stand performance. “He's our flagbearer at Archie's and it's great to be going to the Nunthorpe with a live chance again.”

The Mick Appleby-trained Big Evs, one of the key members of his remarkable sire's first crop, has been added at a cost of £40,000 following his Listed Windsor Castle S. and G3 Molecomb S. successes with his connections hoping they have timed it right with that huge weight concession. Clipper Logistics' TDN Rising Star Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) won the G2 Queen Mary S. last year and the G2 Temple S. on her 3-year-old bow and this could be ideally poised if she can put a disappointing effort in the King's Stand behind her.

“It was a non-event at Ascot, we thought we were drawn on the wrong side,” the owners' racing manager Joe Foley said. “Danny [Tudhope] came in and said he looked up two furlongs out and they were a long, long way behind. Also the ground was quite dead on the first day of Ascot and she needs fast ground, hence we missed the King George at Goodwood. She has been working very, very well, so it'll be interesting to see where she stands with the proper group one sprinters now that she is a mature three-year-old and is getting her ground.”

TDN Rising Star Johannes Brahms Heads Gimcrack cast…
In the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S., Ballydoyle are represented by TDN Rising Star Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), still exciting and unexposed having chased home Big Evs in the Windsor Castle over an inadequate five furlongs. Ryan Moore already knows all about the impressive Listed Dragon S. winner Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who may have been compromised by Goodwood's soft ground when third in the Molecomb, so major market support for the Aidan O'Brien raider will be significant.

“I rode Kylian in the Molecomb and we didn't see the best of him there,” Moore said. “He may be the one to beat, up in trip, but Johannes Brahms is a colt with improvement in him. He already brings a good level of form to the table, winning over sic furlongs on his debut and then chasing home Big Evs stepped down to five in the Windsor Castle, and he is a horse I like.”

This is always tough and the presence of the G2 Vintage S. winner Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) and Clipper Logistics' highly-regarded Newmarket novice scorer King's Gamble (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) are another two to stand out. The latter, who is trained by Ralph Beckett, earned a supplementary entry with his performance on debut and Joe Foley explained, “He's a horse that we will probably step up to seven soon, but Danny Tudhope thought he showed a lot of speed at Newmarket that Friday and the sectionals backed that up, so we thought we would give the Gimcrack a go.”

Courage Mon Ami On Retrieval Mission In The Lonsdale Cup…
Another who failed to shine at Goodwood's Qatar Festival was Wathnan Racing's G1 Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who became like so many others lost in the backwash behind Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 Goodwood Cup. Having learned from that experience, connections will possibly be looking for a change of tactics in Friday's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup. John Gosden is hoping the 4-year-old can put up a fight this time. “We all know the Goodwood Cup was an interestingly different sort of race and not dissimilar to the Lonsdale last year, really,” he said. “He couldn't get a run and then when he did get a run, the race was over. So, he had what I call a nice racecourse gallop, really!”

Quickthorn, who had given forewarning to his Goodwood rivals with a 14-length beating of Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in this 12 months ago, is the enviable mount of Tom Marquand who understands just how fast to go throughout the early stages of these staying contests. “In the Lonsdale, he pretty much ran away with me if I'm honest,” he admitted. “I was going to make the running, but I didn't intend to go that fast and he was doing too much really. But he's a lot more measured now and at Goodwood he never felt as though he was going that quick. Hughie [Morrison] has done an amazing job having Quickthorn right on the day so far and he's no one-trick pony. Far from it. He doesn't have to make the running, so long as he finds a rhythm and is in his comfort zone and he only has to beat horses he has beaten before.”

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Conditioned by Karl Burke, the colt had won three of his nine career jumps and found his first Group black-type victory at Chantilly earlier this season in April when annexing the Prix Sigy. He had last been seen finishing eighth in Sandown's G3 Coral Charge S. in July but hopes were high as the return to York would've meant a return to a course at which he'd already put in two credit-worthy performances.

“He went for a breeze early last week and came back sore,” explained Nick Bradley, managing director of Nick Bradley Racing. “We sent him for a bone scan and it's not conclusive, but it looks like a suspected pelvic injury. I think that will be him done for the year. We'll bring him back next year. Three can be a hard age for sprinters, so we'll try again at four.”

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“It's [been] a long time since a two-year-old has won the Nunthorpe [Kingsgate Native, 2007]. So, yes, it's a big ask for him, but hopefully he's going there with a very good chance at the weights. Jason doesn't ride as he is on Highfield Princess. Andrea Atzeni rides,” said conditioner Mick Appleby. “He's in good order. He did a good piece of work this morning and he'll probably have one more piece of work on Wednesday. I'm delighted with him.”

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“I'm very happy with her,” Quinn said. “She's been back in for a while, she's in good nick and we'll start her off at York in the Duke of York. She came back in towards the end of January, so she's been in a while and York will soon come round. We'll see how we go, but after York you'd be looking at Royal Ascot and on from there.

“With a bit of luck we'll roll the dice with her as it's her last year.”

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The rise & rise of Highfield Princess

Successful off a mark of 58 back in September 2020, she records a second G1 success with a devastating display in the @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes for @johnquinnracing & @jasonhart13 @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/8tCHKwiqjD

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 19, 2022

“She's definitely getting quicker,” Hart said of the winner, whose win guarantees her an entry into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, with the Nunthorpe part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series. “She gave me my first group one winner a couple of weeks ago and it probably means more today to do it on home soil. I was really confident, the two-year-old was giving us a nice tow and I thought I'd be able to pick her up whenever I wanted really. I thought if I could just hold her together for the middle part of the race she'd finish her race off.”

Not only is Highfield Princess the first to complete the Maurice de Gheest-Nunthorpe double, this second career outing over Britain's minimum trip also resulted in her becoming the since Handsome Sailor (GB) in 1988 to follow up a win in the Duke of York here. Her trajectory is one of the year's great racing stories, with a sixth in Royal Ascot's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. June 18 her only reversal since a second to the handicapper Tone The Barone (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a conditions event which was a belated first try at this distance on Wolverhampton's Tapeta Mar. 19.

Harnessing all the indomitable spirit which saw her conquer Royal Ascot's Buckingham Palace H. over seven furlongs last June, the bay who had also captured the Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies' S. on Chelmsford's Polytrack early the next month and finished second to Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 City of York S. at this festival 12 months ago has achieved a level of versatility which few can manage. Four runs on from her success over seven in Newcastle's All-Weather Fillies' and Mares' Championships Conditions S. Apr. 15, she was readily handing one of the season's fastest juveniles The Platinum Queen a remarkable 24 pounds advantage en route to subduing a clutch of five-furlong specialists like Royal Aclaim (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire})–the disappointing 5-2 favourite who was sixth–and Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

John Quinn has his sights set on Keeneland in November, with a trip to ParisLongchamp beforehand. “It took her quite a while to learn her trade,” he said. “We put her in the Foret and the Abbaye, so all being well two more runs in either of those and then the Breeders' Cup. She's got loads of tactical speed and five and a half furlongs around two bends will be right up her alley.”

“When she was starting out, I said to John [Fairley] that she won't win a maiden so we'll get her categorised and go from there. When they gave her 57 I thought 'oh heck, we can't get her in a 0-55!',” Quinn added. “Her progress year in and year out and been astounding. This means everything. It's better than winning the lottery. To win here at York, with all my family here, it's fantastic.” Fairley added, “Her story is one of the most epic stories in the history of thoroughbred racing. To do what she has done in two years is incredible and to win a Nunthorpe by two and a half lengths! Hardly anyone does that. She bit me this morning, that's how I knew she was feeling good, but I didn't think she'd win like that.”

Tim Palin, syndicate manager for Middleham Park Racing, said of The Platinum Queen, “The weight-for-age might be a little bit generous and whether we can come back and replicate that in the future only time will tell, but I think she's going to give us plenty of fun. She's got the Abbaye entry and you wouldn't know whether the ground in Paris will suit her or not. You would have thought that would be the logical place to go.” Kevin Ryan's son and assistant Adam said of Emaraaty Ana, “He's taken his time to recover from running in Dubai earlier in the year, but he was more himself in the July Cup and has come here a fresh horse and has run his race. Hopefully now he can go on to Haydock now and defend his crown in the Sprint Cup.”

Foaled at Haras du Camp Benard in Normandy, Highfield Princess, is out of the 18,000gns Godolphin cast-off Pure Illusion (Ire) (Danehill) whose son Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}) was successful in the G2 July S. and placed in the G1 Middle Park S., G2 Gimcrack S., G2 Richmond S. and G2 Norfolk S. The second dam Saintly Speech (Southern Halo) took the G3 Princess Margaret S. and is also the second dam of the G3 Park Express S. and G3 C. L. Weld Park S. winner Chrysanthemum (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who in turn produced the G3 Sandown Classic Trial scorer Cunco (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Pure Illusion's 2-year-old colt Highfield Viking (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}) was bought back by Fairley at 40,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 3.

Friday, York, Britain
COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE S.-G1, £533,750, York, 8-19, 2yo/up, 5fT, :57.18, g/f.
1–HIGHFIELD PRINCESS (FR), 138, m, 5, by Night of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Saintly Speech, by Southern Halo
3rd Dam: Eloquent Minister, by Deputy Minister
(29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn; J-Jason Hart. £302,690. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 29-11-5-5, $1,022,792. *1/2 to Cardsharp (GB) (Lonhro {Aus}), GSW & G1SP-Eng, $355,619. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–The Platinum Queen (Ire), 114, f, 2, Cotai Glory (GB)–Thrilled (Ire), by Kodiac (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (57,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRG). O-Middleham Park Racing XV; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Fahey. £114,756.
3–Emaraaty Ana (GB), 141, g, 6, Shamardal–Spirit of Dubai (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. £57,432.
Margins: 2HF, 1HF, 1. Odds: 5.00, 4.50, 12.00.
Also Ran: Khaadem (Ire), Dragon Symbol (GB), Royal Aclaim (Ire), Lazuli (Ire), Raasel (GB), Acklam Express (Ire), Flotus (Ire), Clarendon House (GB), New York City (Ire), Winter Power (Ire). Scratched: Ainsdale (GB), Ebro River (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Unusually, position of hot favourite is filled by a 3-year-old with only three career starts to her name, but in a renewal lacking a standout Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's Royal Aclaim (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) is one of those that will continue to attract support until the bubble bursts. The rapid juvenile The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), the the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and the 'TDN Rising Star' Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) complete the formidable distaff cast in a fascinating clash.

Strangely, the Listed City Walls S. seems to be the key piece of form again as it was in 2021 when Winter Power served notice of her prowess over this fast five-furlong strip. This time, Winter Power had to surrender as Royal Aclaim took up the mantle with an impressive display July 9 and it is easy to see why the punters have been seduced by the filly who bids to provide her owner with a notable Ebor Festival double following the Lowther win of Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) on Thursday. “I've got every confidence in her and in her ability, but at the end of the day she's an animal and she's got to have some luck in running,” trainer James Tate told QIPCO British Champions Series.

“She's the least experienced runner in the field, and that includes the 2-year-old, but she's like nothing we've ever had through our stable gates before–she's completely different,” Tate added. “In three runs, she's achieved a rating of 108 and beaten two Group 1 winners. Yet, to be quite honest with you, she's never been fully fit, as she is now. I expected her to win at York but I didn't know she'd win quite as easily as that, given that she wasn't 100% fit. It was obvious after a furlong or two that she would win. For a filly to win a Nunthorpe she probably needs to be something like 114, and the six pounds she needs to improve on the York form is just two lengths. Can she improve two lengths? I really think and hope so.”

Queen Bee?

Two-year-olds added to this mix always create an extra vibe and this time it is a strange one, with Middleham Park Racing's The Platinum Queen entering the fray with no black-type to boast of. Only 13th behind Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) on her sole attempt in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot on June 15, the bay proved that running all wrong with powerful displays in a novice over this course and distance July 8 and in Goodwood's Alice Keppel Conditions S. July 27, where she broke the juvenile track record set minutes earlier in the Molecomb by Trillium (GB) (No Nay Never). With all the weight-for-age and sex allowances in her favour, she has the significant bonus of Hollie Doyle in the saddle as she bids to emulate Lyric Fantasy (Ire) (Tate Gallery) who was the last juvenile filly to succeed 30 years ago. Acapulco (Scat Daddy) was second in 2015, so the portents are strong for a big effort. “She's improved with racing, which we thought she would. She just wants to go faster all the time, so we're trying to channel that but she's in great nick,” trainer Richard Fahey said. “It's extremely game of the owners, I hope they get a run for their money–I'm sure they will.”

Beware The Princess

Very few sprinters can come off success in the 6 1/2-furlong G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and follow up here over five, but Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is looking increasingly a sprinter that is capable of the unusual. Showing the kind of pace at Deauville Aug. 7 that would have been potent over the minimum, she did the same on this track when taking the G2 1895 Duke of York S. May 11 and will be giving her all once again. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Flotus is another aggressive front-runner reverting to five, having scored at the track in the G3 Summer S. last time July 8 and tried this trip just the once. Of the remainder, the July 29 G2 King George S. one-two Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Raasel (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) come into play in along with 'TDN Rising Star' Dragon Symbol (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), who was third here 12 months ago and who has enjoyed a confidence boost in a Hamilton conditions event July 30.

What Next From Stradivarius?

There is no longer-running retirement story than that of Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), with Bjorn Nielsen seeming to further extend the date each time he is interviewed. After the 8-year-old's superb performance when touched off in the July 26 G1 Goodwood Cup, it is not hard to see why he should want to extend the brilliant career of the horse so endeared to the York faithful. Frankie had waved them goodbye after the May 13 G2 Yorkshire Cup, but in a twist the chestnut returns to the Knavesmire under Andrea Atzeni for what may not even be his final visit on Friday. Already successful six times from six outings here, including in three renewals of the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup, one of history's elite stayers looks set to have his desired fast ground with the storms so far missing York. “He's enjoying life as much as ever and he's bouncing around the place,” John Gosden commented. “He's got a pretty good record at most tracks, but York obviously suits him particularly well with it's long straight and he's never been beaten there.”

King Waits Again

   In what has become a perpetual state for Alan King, he waits on the rain for Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) with more hope than expectation. Having finally bent to running the G1 Prix du Cadran and G1 Goodwood Cup hero on ground quicker than ideal in defence of his crown in the latter contest on the Sussex Downs, the trainer was rewarded with a third behind Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Stradivarius which was commendable but probably below his exalted standard when the ground is testing. “He'll only run if it rains, it's as simple as that,” he said in his latest update. “There's some rain coming through, but we don't know what quantity so we'll just have to see what the morning brings.” Fourth in the Goodwood Cup, Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is one who could yet emerge as a threat even if Trueshan is absent, which also applies to Lady Blyth's G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil and G3 Henry II S. winner Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in a strong edition set to test Stradivarius's endurance more than the betting would suggest.

Royal Standard In The Gimcrack

There is a fascinating G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S. in prospect, with the Hays' impressive G2 Richmond S. winner Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) needing to defy a three-pound penalty as a result of his Goodwood exploits July 28. That was no hindrance to Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) last year and to Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) in 2001, so if the best that has passed through the Whatcombe stable of the Coles for some time follows suit we are talking about a genuine Group 1 performer in the making. “He's in very good form and we think he's improved since Goodwood. Physically we think he looks bigger,” Oliver Cole warned. “We just thought travel-wise it was easier to go to York than Deauville [for the Morny] and we're thinking about the future with him. He handled quick ground in the Richmond and I think there was bit of cut in the ground the day he won his maiden there, so I think he's pretty versatile.”

The Triple Threat

While Royal Scotsman gives all the signals that he is top-class, he will certainly have to prove it here taken on by a trio of unbeaten colts who have all flashed major talent. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) had Royal Scotsman back in fourth on debut at Ascot May 7 and was ante-post favourite for the Coventry in which the Coles' runner ended up third, only to miss out due to a setback. His return defeat of Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) over this six-furlong trip at Newmarket July 29 was boosted by the runner-up's effort in a strong renewal of the G3 Acomb S. on Wednesday and Charlie Appleby is hoping he can follow through on his significant early promise. “He looked very smart when winning his maiden at Ascot, but I was not entirely happy with him coming into the Royal meeting so we missed his intended target there,” he explained. “I'm a believer that sometimes missing those type of races in the summer can benefit them in the second half of the season. He had his break, then he came back under a penalty in a Newmarket novice. We got the job done but, most importantly, we could see improvement for that run. His work has been good. He's definitely come on for that experience. The Gimcrack is the right race for him now, but in time, I think he will benefit for stepping up in trip.”

Burke Has Another Strong Hand

After Thursday's G2 Lowther S., it is increasingly essential to pay due diligence to the entries of Karl Burke in the 2022 pattern races for 2-year-olds and his duo here are headed by Nick Bradley Racing and Elaine Burke's well-regarded unbeaten Marshman (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}). Denied a crack at Royal Scotsman in the Richmond due to a setback, arguably the best out so far from the first crop of his talented sire is here just a week after his 8 1/2-length success in a Thirsk novice over this trip Aug. 12. “We always thought Marshman was a nice horse, but he showed us a bit more than what he had been doing at home when he got left in the stalls first time out and still absolutely bolted up,” Burke said. “The Richmond might not have worked out for us anyway, but he was lame on the morning of the race and I was keen to get another run into him then before we went for a black-type race. He took us a little bit by surprise with how he did it at Thirsk. We weren't surprised that he won, but it was a very good performance on the clock and obviously visually it was very good as well.”

Making A Point

Richard Fahey saddles the third colt with a two-for-two record in the Gimcrack, with Clearpoint (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) by the same sire and carrying the same Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum silks as the stable's dual triple Group 1 winner Perfect Power (Ire). His form stands up well against Marshman from his novice win on debut at Ayr May 30 and he was able to defy a penalty dropping back to five furlongs in a novice at Newcastle June 25. “It's a good Gimcrack this year, it's probably the best Gimcrack I've seen for years,” Fahey commented. “I do like the horse though and we'll find out on Friday where we are with him.”

Also…

York's valuable British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden S. sees a line-up of 20, with Ballydoyle responsible for the Aug. 6 Curragh maiden runner-up Salt Lake City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the race they used to introduce Stravinsky in 1998. At Salisbury, Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) puts his reputation on the line in the Listed Longines Irish Champions Weekend 10-11 September EBF Stonehenge S. Off the mark by 9 1/2 lengths in a seven-furlong novice at Sandown July 27, the relative of Lammtarra looks a genuine Derby prospect at present.

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Trainer Francois Rohaut said, “The filly is ok, so the plan is to come [to York]. It's very exciting and we are very happy to be in this race. She had a good canter on Tuesday in Deauville where she's staying. I am very happy with her.

“I walked her [on Wednesday afternoon] and she was jumping everywhere and was very fresh and happy to be in Deauville. I hope she'll be happy to go and to be in York.”

Wesley Ward had an update on two-time Grade II winner Golden Pal, who is expected to fly in on Friday. Second in the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot at two, the bay won the Skidmore S. at Saratoga later that year and added the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland on Nov. 6. Acquired by the Coolmore partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg from breeder Randall Lowe prior to the start of his 3-year-old year, Golden Pal was first past the post in the GIII Quick Call S. at Saratoga on July 15.

Ward–who plans to fly in for the race–said, “He's bigger, stronger, faster. I think we're in good shape. He breezed on the grass at Keeneland [on Wednesday]–a really nice workout, a final piece of fast work.

“We're ready to go. Everything's going to plan. This time we're hoping to get lucky.”

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Commenting on the news, William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course said, “York Racecourse is proud of its record of investing in prize money to help sustain the wider racing industry and to attract the best horses to the Knavesmire. This is a time when that strategy needed to be confirmed and we are pleased to be able to commit to returning these four feature contests to their pre Covid levels. The seven-figure investment in the Juddmonte International reflects its status as the Longines World's Best Race. Clearly, the world is still in a difficult place and we will hugely miss the presence of spectators at the Dante Festival 2021.

“However, we wanted to make a positive announcement that reflects what York believes is in the shared best interest of the sport that everyone involved with the Knavesmire loves. The backing of our sponsors and supporters is deeply appreciated. We are excited about the prospect of some fantastic racing in May and the return of owners at the Dante Festival. Thereafter, we very much look forward to the return of spectators to York as the summer unfolds.”

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