Take Cover hoping for third time lucky in Nunthorpe

Take Cover and David Allen (red) winning The Qatar King George Stakes from Washington DC at Goodwood. Picture: Racingfotos.com

David Griffiths believes Take Cover has “never been better” and hopes his evergreen stable flagbearer can make it third time lucky in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday. The nine-year-old would become the joint-oldest winner of the £340,000 showpiece if successful. The only previous nine-year-old to win the race, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, was Bahamian Pirate in 2004.

A habitual front-runner, Take Cover showed he was still among the fastest horses in training when making all in the Qatar King George Stakes at Goodwood last month. That was the second time he had won the Group 2 prize, having also scooped it in 2014.

“He’s generally got two speeds – stand still or flat to the boards,” Griffiths said with a smile. “It was an excellent performance at Goodwood. At the furlong pole they looked to be stacking up to take him on but, when everything is right, he is so hard to pass because when they come to him he will stick his head out and find an extra gear. I think horses know when they’ve won and he’s been happy, bouncing. I’ve never known him to come out of a race better and we’ve just got to keep him ticking over, hope it stays dry and that we get a good draw.”

Washington DC (second), Goldream (third), Easton Angel (fourth), Muthmir (sixth) and Pearl Secret (seventh) all finished behind Take Cover at Goodwood and are back for another crack at him.

Take Cover has won at York twice in the past but his previous two tilts at the Nunthorpe have not gone to plan.

“Last year he had to be withdrawn after going underneath the stalls and getting loose around York for ten minutes,” Griffiths said. “The year before that he anticipated the start and hit his head leaving the stalls. He came back bleeding, very sore and with a headache. It must have affected him but he still ran a cracker to be beaten only two lengths.

“There’s no margin for error in these races but hopefully it will be a case of third time lucky. We’ve sorted the stalls out now because he goes in last with a blind on, which is taken off just as the gates open.”

Griffiths and his wife, Sophie, share riding duties on Take Cover at their yard in Doncaster. The latter also does a lot of other work with him, including walking him to the start on race days.

“He’s got a bit better as he’s got older, or should I say a bit saner,” Griffiths said. “He’s nine but you would never know it and he didn’t make his debut until late in the season as a four-year-old. I think he’s better than ever. He has just felt stronger and sharper in everything he has been doing – and he has been doing those things better and easier.”

With regard to the opposition, Griffiths quickly identified Limato, Profitable, Mecca’s Angel and Goldream as dangers. “I thought Limato put up one of the outstanding performances of the year in the July Cup,” Griffiths said. “Will he be as good over five furlongs? I hope not!”

Limato has been supplemented after much discussion between his connections over whether he should stick to sprinting or revert to a mile. The Henry Candy-trained four-year-old put up a memorable display at Newmarket – when Profitable, Sole Power, Danzeno, Goken and Cotai Glory were left trailing – but will be running over the minimum trip for the first time in his 11-race career.

By contrast, Profitable, this year’s King’s Stand Stakes winner, will be dropping back to what many believe is his best trip. That comment is also applicable to Sole Power, winner of the Nunthorpe at 100/1 in 2010 and a winning favourite four years later. The only previous three-time winners of the race have been Tag End (1928-1930) and Sharpo (1980-1982).

Mecca’s Angel seeks to become the first back-to-back winner since Borderlescott (2008-2009). The Michael Dodds-trained mare bounced back to her best when beating Brando three lengths at the Curragh last month.
Last year she proved too strong for Acapulco, a two-year-old, in the closing stages and faces a pair juveniles this time in the shape of Prince Of Lir, winner of the Norfolk Stakes, and Yalta, successful in the Molecomb Stakes.

The in-foal Silver Rainbow, unbeaten in three starts since being covered by Cable Bay, adds intrigue. Out Do, Iffranesia and Thesme complete the line-up.