3.40 York
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (British Champions' Series) (Group
1) (Class 1) (2YO plus)
Winner £156,066
Advice: 0.5 pt each/way Requinto (8/1 Coral)
Bated Breath: Unbeaten in first three and excuses when
beaten on first tires in Group company last year; First run was write off &
very impressive in winning last two races, both strong enough contests; New
career best on ground that wouldn’t have suited when fifth in the Golden
Jubilee and better still when second in July Cup, but drop back to 5 furlongs
asks a question of him. 
Captain Dunne: Has never been in better form and win in uber
– competitive Epsom Dash as good as any here in field, especially given topweight;
Should go well here at decent price.
Hamish McGonagall: Formerly useful/high-class handicapper
who made jump into conditions/pattern company last season with useful efforts
here; Shaped as well as ever on first could of starts but well held in 6f Group
2 & Temple; Has tried to make all and only just failed on last two starts
and unlikely same approach will reward him here. 
Hoof It: Has proven hugely progressive this year and put up
one of the handicap performances of all time at Goodwood according to ratings
when picking up the lead well over a furlong from home and running way with
Stewards Cup under 10 stone; Should make a bold bid here, drop back in trip no
problem. 
Inxile: 6 years old but evergreen as a sprinter and enjoying
best season yet, winning listed races at Tipperary, Naas and Cork (twice) to
add to his Prix Du Gros Chene win and Group 2 third; Can make another bold bid
but this might be too good for him.
Kingsgate Native: Top class when at peak form, a prime
example Temple Stakes win last year (also past winner of Nunthorpe for past
yard); Didn’t match up to form for the rest of the year but still fourth in the
July and Betfred Sprint Cup; Beginning to look regressive and more solid
options.
Masamah: Impressive when blitzing opposition at York and
probably in wrong place when eighth in Dash next time, as showed when once
again coming late and hard to win Listed event; Explosive pace when never in
danger of losing Goodwood Group 2 (weak race) and should go well.
Prohibit: Has continued progression throughout winter in Dubai,
taking valuable event by a head before respectable fifth in high class Al Quoz
sprint; strong at the finish on all starts this season, mainly when landing
King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot; Race could pan out in same fashion so has
to be rated a big contender.
Tiddliwinks: Back to something like his best when winning
minor event at Nottingham, having resumed the progress he made in 2 Graded
events in Ireland; This demands yet more.
Breathless Kiss: Has failed to improve on, or repeat his
quite impressive Beverley win in four starts since in pattern company; Hard to
imagine him suddenly winning now.
Invincible Ash: Beneficiary of a very good ride when winning
Group 3 at the Curragh in June; Third to Inxile at Tipperary last time leaves
her with a lot to do in this field.
Piccadilly Filly: Once a very sharp sprinter, and a very good
third in this race last year at 100/1; That had come after promising efforts
however, and this time round she seems well out of form. 
Swiss Diva: Nothing short of brilliant last season, steadily
progressing in recording a hat – trick of, all on soft ground, highlight when
trashing rivals in Prix Petit Couvert; Unplaced on last two starts but circumstances
against her on both occasions and worth a second look with the ground calmer
for her here.
Margot Did: Shaped like a very useful horse as a 2yo,
winning first two before strong of creditable efforts in top class company;
Unlucky on first two starts this year (common theme) but found success when
making all in Listed events; Shouldn’t discount after doing best of those with
bad draw in Coral Charge. 
Wizz Kid: Speedy as a juvenile and improved for drop back to
5f o win Prix du Gros-Chene (by a head from Prohibit) at Chantilly; Shouldn’t be
as big as she is based on that form and of interest.
Requinto: Has impressed with raw speed on all but one start
(when held up over 6f) and unbeaten at the minimum trip, overcoming flat spot
in mid race to win Molecomb at Goodwood going away; Supplemented for this and
could go very close here.
VERDICT: Much of the attention is centred around Stewards
Cup winner Hoof It, who will have no trouble dropping back in trip here. His
price is just a little short in this type of race and it may be worth siding
with REQUNITO, who is unbeaten at 5 furlongs and overcame a flat spot in great
style at Glorious Goodwood. Pick of the bigger prices in order are Captain
Dunne, Wizz Kid, Margot Did and Swiss Diva.
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