Old rivals Asfoora and Big Evs head strong field for Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes

Friday’s £500,000 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes is a decider between two star sprinters from opposite sides of the world, but it is far more than simply a rematch between the classy Australian Royal Ascot winner Asfoora and her recent Goodwood conqueror Big Evs.

With an unusual amount of raw speed on offer in a field of 14 there has been speculation that the course record of 55.90s, set by the brilliantly speedy Battaash here five years ago, might be broken. If the going remains on the quick side it will certainly be under threat.

Oisin optimistic of Asfoora turning the tables from Goodwood

Australian sprinters have made a massive impact here since Choisir’s stunning double at Royal Ascot 21 years ago and although Asfoora is by no means top of the pile at home she gave trainer Henry Dwyer and her enthusiastic owners the most memorable of days when beating Regional, Big Evs and Believing in the newly renamed King Charles III Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting.

Big Evs, who crowned an astonishing two-year-old campaign with a Breeder’s Cup win at Santa Anita, then had his revenge over Asfoora by a short-head in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood, albeit with the mare carrying a penalty. Both riders are in positive mood ahead of this rematch, although they are at pains to stress that this is no two-horse race.

Oisin Murphy, who rides Asfoora, said: “I sat on her on Monday morning and she has never looked or moved better. I obviously have a lot of respect for the opposition, and there’s more to it than the two of them, but she’s in great form and she’s obviously better off at the weights with Big Evs this time.”

Tom Marquand maintains his partnership with Big Evs, whose Goodwood success was one of four there from only seven runners for Mick Appleby, who ended the week as top trainer. Big Evs and Asfoora had Believing back in third that day, with last year’s Nunthorpe winner Live In The Dream in fourth and Starlust and Ponntos a bit further back.

Marquand bullish that Big Evs can have the final say on the Knavesmire

Marquand first got on Big Evs after a disappointing effort as the only two-year–old in last year’s Nunthorpe, when outsider Live In The Dream  (reunited here with Sean Kirrane) made all and Bradsell, Makarova and Regional were also among those who finished well ahead of him. He redeemed himself in no uncertain terms at Doncaster and Santa Anita and his two clashes with Asfoora were preceded by a reappearance win over the Nunthorpe course and distance.

Marquand can’t wait to ride him again and said: “It looks a fantastic race, and while that’s what everyone wants to see it’s sadly going to make his job a little bit harder. But he’s super straightforward and he’s in the form of his life.

“I didn’t ride him in the Nunthorpe last year but I don’t think the track was the problem. I think there were other factors at play – he was a two-year-old and he’d had a hardish race on soft ground at Goodwood – and he’s been back there this year and won first time out, when he felt fantastic and the track wasn’t any issue at all.

“Asfoora beat us at Ascot, and if we were going back there I think I’d be pretty scared of her as it’s a stiff five, but we turned the form around when we beat her at Goodwood and I think York, as a speed track, will favour him more than her. I know she’s 6lb better off here and we only beat her a short head, but I don’t think it’s as straightforward as that and with a bit of luck we’ll come out on top again.” 

At Goodwood Big Evs was led through the early stages by the Czech challenger Ponntos, who was on a hat-trick after impressive wins in the Prix de Saint-Georges and the Prix du Gros-Chene, but that did not bother him. 

Marquand said: “I’ve ridden against Ponntos a couple of times on other horses and he’s got blinding speed, but it’s mainly ‘off the block’ speed and the beauty of Big Evs is that his mind is great and he can follow or lead. He’s done it every way and he’ll just take it as it comes. If Ponntos blitzes away that’s fine, and if not I guess it will probably be us doing it.”

Starlust was only sixth at Goodwood but has two good wins over York’s five furlongs to his name already this year. His trainer Ralph Beckett said: “He’s really good over the five-furlong track at York, so that gives him a chance. He seems in good form.”

Group winning Quartet round off stellar Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe field

Bradsell looked very good in last year’s King’s Stand Stakes and made a most positive return to action when successful at Deauville earlier this month. Regional won the Betfair Sprint Cup last year and has put in three solid runs this year. He should have his preferred fast ground.

Makarova has a little more to find but Hector Crouch believes she is better than her bare form. He said: “She ran a cracker when winning the Coral Charge and was unlucky against Believing in the Group 2 at the Curragh, when she had the door shut on her at the wrong time. I thought she’d have gone close there and she goes to York with a good chance so long as the ground isn’t too quick for her.”

The runners also include Azure Blue, who had So Majestic in third when dead heating in a Listed race at Ayr in June, Clarendon House, who put up a Group-class performance under a big weight in a handicap at the Dante meeting, and Washington Heights, who was in great form in the spring.

Frost At Dawn, the only three-year-old in the line-up and last seen at Meydan in March, completes the field.