By Tom Frary
With Europe's sprinting division positioned in a kind of limbo over the past year or so, the presence of Australian raider Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) has added some spice and it is with a tinge of sadness that Britain bids farewell to her after Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Her European tour has included success in the G1 King Charles III Stakes and a second in Goodwood's G2 King George Stakes, where she just failed to get to Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), and trainer Henry Dwyer is keen for another go.
“It was billed as a bit of a mundane year for sprinters, so I like to think her presence has added a bit of colour to things,” he said. “We're pretty excited to get up there and we're been very much looking forward to York during the whole preparation. This is our grand final and everything has gone well so far and hopefully it can continue.”
“There is no doubt she is in great order and she is really as good as she can be, it's the best I've ever seen her look and generally that translates to good runs,” he added. “That was the case at Goodwood and I think she's a little bit fitter for this run, so I think we are right where we need to be.”
Big Evs was down the field in his tilt at this as a juvenile 12 months ago, which is his sole blip and any fears that this isn't his track were in part dispelled with his win in the Listed Westow Stakes in May. “I think if it stays quick ground, I wouldn't be surprised if the track record gets broken,” trainer Mick Appleby said.
Others in the mix are Victorious Racing's 2023 G1 King's Stand Stakes winner Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), who returned with a win in Deauville's Listed Prix du Cercle earlier this month, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's G2 Sapphire Stakes winner Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and last year's hero Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) who needs to revive dwindling fortunes.
Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Bradsell's owners, issued an upbeat bulletin on Thursday. “I've spoken to Archie [Watson] and he says the horse is in great form,” he said. “Hopefully he can acquit himself well, Hollie [Doyle] was really happy with him at Deauville and thought he was back. The Deauville opposition was good, but it was not group 1 standard, hopefully he can put his best foot forward. He's drawn in stall three so hopefully there is some pace around him and hopefully there isn't too much rain around.”
Another Viking Raid…
Friday also sees the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, where Wathnan Racing's The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) bids for compensation having been worn down late in both The 40 Curragh's G2 Railway Stakes and Goodwood's G2 Richmond Stakes. RP Racing's G3 Molecomb Stakes winner Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}) and Ballydoyle's G3 Anglesey Stakes runner-up Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) are the chief threats on form, with the latter's run behind Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) at The Curragh looking particularly strong now.
“He ran very well for us at Goodwood in the Richmond,” Richard Brown said of The Strikin Viking. “The race was run at a blistering pace and he was just a bit off it and maybe he hit the front a bit soon. I think this fast six furlongs will really play to his strengths, but obviously it looks like being a good renewal. I saw him on Monday and he looked fantastic.”
Of the unexposed types, Clipper Logistics' course-and-distance novice winner Andesite (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) is intriguing with the form of his debut strong. He had to sit out Royal Ascot, but is highly-regarded by the Karl Burke stable while Godolphin's unbeaten Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) comes in off a win in the same Newmarket novice won by the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained Noble Style (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who captured this two years ago.
Will The Stars Align?
York also stages the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup, with Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) the key older horse moving up to two miles for the first time having enjoyed a freshener since finishing third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in June. Judged by his 6 1/2-length defeat of Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in Chester's G3 Ormonde Stakes in May, he will be a tough nut to crack with his full-brother Broome (Ire) so comfortable at this trip but he meets a progressive 3-year-old colt in Align The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
Tony Farmer's triple handicap winner holds a St Leger entry and trainer Charlie Johnston has his eye on the Doncaster Classic. “We're going to have to take on some hardened, older stayers but between trying the trip and being out of form, most of them have some sort of question to answer and certainly no one else is coming into the race on the back of three straight wins and on such an upwards curve and a progressive profile,” he said.
“We're hopeful that stepping up to two miles could see our horse improve again and he can finish in the first four here and still emerge with a lot of credit and keep his Leger credentials intact,” he added. “If he can go closer than that he will have bolstered his Leger ambitions significantly, so let's hope he can do so.”
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