Alpha Delphini stuns big guns in Nunthorpe

Alpha Delphini, right, edges out Mabs Cross in another Nunthorpe thriller. Picture: Steve Cargill/Racingfotos 

Alpha Delphini sprang a 40-1 shock in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York as odds-on favourite Battaash fluffed his lines.

The seven-year-old, trained by Bryan Smart and ridden by Graham Lee, edged out Mabs Cross by the smallest of margins after the pair looked inseparable as they crossed the line.

It was several minutes before the result of the photo finish was announced, adding to the incredible tension. Similar had happened 12 months ago when Marsha pipped Lady Aurelia.

There was a blistering pace from the outset with speedsters Take Cover and Caspian Prince blazing the trail, and Alpha Delphini and Battaash hot on their heels.

Battaash hit the front about a furlong and half out, but could not put the race to bed and Charlie Hills’ sprinter was left standing in the final 100 yards, as the Michael Dods-trained Mabs Cross and Alpha Delphini fought it out, with just a nose separating them.

Blue Point, winner of the King’s Stand Stakes, was third.

North Yorkshire-based Smart said: “That was the longest five minutes of my life! I backed him this morning, I had a tenner each-way at 80-1 because I thought that was an insulting price.

“I knew I had him the best he’d ever been, I’d trained him for this race as it was one I’d always wanted to win.

“I’d told the wife months ago that he was going to be absolutely spot-on for this, he was just coming right.

“There was a difference today, he was so relaxed, he wasn’t sweating or anything.”

He added: Credit must go to Graham Lee, it was his idea to take the cheekpieces off as he felt that that he couldn’t see the other horses when they came at him.

“I’ve had a lot of his family, his half-brother Tangerine Trees got better with age and it looks like he is.

“We’ve put him in the Abbaye and there’s a good chance he’ll go for that. We did have the Beverley Bullet as a back-up, but we can skip that now.”

Dods was gracious in defeat and said: “She’s run a super race. Obviously we’d rather have won, but what can you do?

“As I said to Bryan Smart waiting for the result, I would have settled for a dead-heat and he said the same.

“When it’s that close you’re disappointed to get beat, but I’m very pleased with her.”

Charlie Appleby said of third home Blue Point: “We just got a bit outpaced at halfway, but he was coming back at the end. The most logical step would be to head for the Curragh for the Flying Five. That’s a Group One now and the stiffer finish there will suit him.”

Hills said of the vanquished Battaash, who had got very worked up before being beaten in the race 12 months ago: “He pretty much ran exactly the same as last year. The only difference was he didn’t get worked up beforehand.

“He was probably the last horse off the bridle and never really picked up. He’s as good as gold after the race. It’s just one of those things. I haven’t really got much more to say.”

His rider Jim Crowley said: “I don’t know what to say. He ran a very similar race to what he did last year. He obviously doesn’t like it up here. I’m gutted.”