Rayevka can power to victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes on Day Three of York's Ebor Festival, according to Garry Owen. Francis-Henri Graffard's star looks tailor-made for the demands of this Group 1 sprint showpiece.
Rayevka's Path to the Nunthorpe
The filly showed potent speed when bolting-up from Apollo Fountain in a Chantilly Listed contest. She improved again with a close third in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at last year's Royal Ascot. However, she then seemed to stop progressing with lesser efforts in top-level races over that trip.
The bay wasn't suited by faster ground when unplaced in two valuable winter contests at Meydan. She relished the softer conditions and a drop to five furlongs when slamming Afjan at Longchamp. That earned the speedster another trip to Royal Ascot for the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes. She just missed out on a first Group 1 when just failing to reel-in Mission Central in a tight finish. The four-year-old will love the flatter track and should be well-suited by the likely blistering pace.
Other Selections Across the Card
Outback Heat can scorch to victory for Harry Eustace in the Sky Bet Mile Handicap. The gelding looked a nice prospect when cosily denying Sovereign Bay on debut at Newcastle. Allowed time to develop, he was a respectable third to Organise switched to Turf at Yarmouth. The three-year-old made a perfect start at this level by brushing aside Luzon Heights at Ascot. He then found only Moonfall too good in the ever-competitive Britannia Handicap back there. That is high-class form so the bay can defy a tricky draw and a 5lb hike for his thriving handler.
Carmers can hit hard for Brian Twomey in a cracking renewal of the Lonsdale Cup. The colt looked a stayer going places when taking last year's Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He handled this track well when second to Pride Of Arras over 1m 4f in the Great Voltigeur. The bay was a shade disappointing when fifth to Scandinavia in the St Leger at Doncaster. He benefited from tackling two miles when caning Layfayette in a Down Royal Listed race. The four-year-old didn't get home over 2m 4f when a decent sixth in the Ascot Gold Cup. The Irish raider will be suited by returning to two miles so he can add this Group 2 to his CV.
Agamemnon and Primo Lara in Action
Agamemnon can show his mettle for Richard Hughes in the Gimcrack Stakes. The colt opened his account by caning Undercover Affair in a hot Wolverhampton novice. He wasn't ready for Group 2 level over five furlongs when eighth in the Coventry at Ascot. The two-year-old stayed six well when third to Arapaho Gold in a Newbury Listed contest. He hit fresh heights when giving Kosuma most resistance in Group 3 company at Deauville. The bay won't mind the likely soft conditions so he can spring a surprise in this Group 2.
Primo Lara can hit his foes for six in the trappy Assured Data Protection Handicap. The gelding handled this track well when landing a valuable event for Jack Morland last year. He then struggled over trips around 1m 2f until brushing aside Barry's Boy at Wolverhampton. That success earned the five-year-old a transfer to the shrewd Jane Chapple-Hyam operation. He justified his purchase price by decisively defeating Masterinthewoods over 1m 4f at Ascot. The son of New Bay looks unexposed over that trip so he can claim a warm contest back here.
Closing Races and Lady Dora Mae
Oklahoma can call the tune for Aidan O'Brien in the fascinating Convivial Maiden. The juvenile was unlucky to meet Giant Sequoia on debut over seven furlongs at the Curragh. He wasn't ready for the step-up to a mile when third to the exciting City of Dubai at Killarney. That looks excellent form so the colt can deny some promising opponents back down in trip.
Lady Dora Mae looks a cut above for George Boughey in the tricky Sky Bet Handicap. The filly built on some solid efforts when just denied by Venetia in a Goodwood Listed event. She found Group 2 company a step too far when only sixth behind Tattycoram at Newmarket. The bay bounced back when chasing home Silver Lake back in handicap company at Goodwood. The three-year-old was then agonisingly defeated by Mirik back at Listed level at Clairefontaine. The strong-traveller looks well-treated returned to this level so she can score under Ryan Moore.
