Maximum field in Nunthorpe
Wednesday 22 August 2012
Bated Breath and Ortensia are the star names among a field of 20 runners for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.
Roger Charlton's Bated Breath aims for an elusive first victory at Group One level following a number of near-misses and connections will be keeping their fingers crossed the current fast ground on the Knavesmire stays that way.
Australian mare Ortensia blitzed the opposition in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai back in March and while she failed to find her best form on her first couple of outings in Britain, she came good at Glorious Goodwood last time.
Sole Power was a 100-1 winner of this five-furlong test a couple of years ago but has proved that to be no fluke on multiple occasions since and quick ground is also in his favour.
Seemingly the biggest threat to the established sprinters is the up-and-coming Pearl Secret, the apple of trainer David Barron's eye. The three-year-old is unbeaten in four starts and has struck twice over this course and distance.
Kingsgate Native makes his debut for Robert Cowell, who also saddles smart sprinters Spirit Quartz and Monsieur Joe. Other contenders include Invincible Ash, Dandy Boy and Tiddliwinks.
Richard Fahey has decided against running July Cup winner Mayson, while Tom Dascombe's Queen Mary winner Ceiling Kitty failed to make the cut.
Her trainer said: "It's frustrating, but that's the way the system works. The Nunthorpe has been the plan since Royal Ascot. We've trained her specifically for this race for three months and now we can't run.
"We're obviously going to have to come up with something else for her now. The Prix de l'Abbaye could be a race for her later on, but she needs good ground and you're not guaranteed to get that in France in October. We'll have to have a rethink."
Paddy Power - Nunthorpe Stakes: 7-2 Bated Breath, 9-2 Ortensia, 5 Pearl Secret, 6 Sole Power, 16 Hamish McGonagall, 20 Tiddliwinks, Tangerine Trees, 25 Nocturnal Affair, Spirit Quartz, Dandy Boy, Masamah, Kingsgate Native. 33-1 bar. Each-way 1/5 1,2,3
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