G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

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...

Shorn of its main protagonists Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in the build-up, the complexion of Friday's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup may have changed since declaration time, but nonetheless played host to a performance of note as Lady Blyth's 5-year-old gelding Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}--Daffydowndilly {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) stepped into the void, leading his rivals a merry dance throughout, and registered a pillar-to-post victory in the Knavesmire's extended two-mile test. The March-foaled bay, who lined up off victories in the G3...