Day three of the Ebor Festival 2023 features the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1 with the wonderful mare Highfield Princess looking to follow up on her 2022 success. The main threat in a 16-runner field is Bradsell who beat her in the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, whilst the two-year-old Big Evs and Regional, who is looking to make three on the bounce can get in the mix.
Enjoy whether at York or #Athome watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
1.50 York – Heritage Handicap (1m 4f)
Dark Moon Rising won over course and distance here last month looking an improved horse with the headgear removed last time, when strong at the finish and won with a bit in hand. A four-pound rise still leaves him well below where he was at the start of the season and with a good pace guaranteed here, he can improve again.
2.25 York – Wetherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Group 2 (2m)
Coltrane (nap) will not be left with too much to do like he was at Goodwood to try and peg back Quickthorn, who was given an easy lead by the rest of the field and deserved to take the Goodwood Cup on the back of an inspired ride by Tom Marquand. Coltrane still travelled well there and is the most consistent of these, for all Courage Mon Ami has the best piece of form, but Coltrane is the most likely to run his race, has no issue with conditions, and can reverse the Goodwood form.
3.00 York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 (6f)
Kylian despite a small reverse at Goodwood last time, on ground that was plenty soft enough for him, still holds the best pieces of form as it stands, with that very easy Sandown win in the Listed Dragon Stakes looking very strong. Even a repeat of the Goodwood effort may well be good enough, and for all there are potential improvers in the field, they will have to do if they are to beat Kylian. This step up to six furlongs looks sure to suit on the way he’s been finishing off over five furlongs.
3.35 York – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1 (5f)
Highfield Princess finished second to main market rival Bradsell in the King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the 2022 Nunthorpe winner can reverse those places after showing she was right back to form at Goodwood when easily winning the King George Stakes by three lengths. That was much more like it and this remarkable mare will show any doubters that she is right back to her best.
Regional is having his third start of the season and first in Group company on the back of two winning performances, including last time out when successful in his first Listed race of his career at Haydock back in June. This came on the back of a course and distance success on the Knavesmire beating Korker back in May. This is a major step up, however he looked really impressive at Haydock and with the conditions in his favour you could see a big run here from this very progressive type.
