Day three of the York Ebor Festival is all about speed in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, with American Affair tipped to claim Group One glory. Chief Tipster Jason Heavey provides a race-by-race guide for the card.
Nunthorpe Stakes: American Affair can pounce late
American Affair, trained by Jim Goldie, bounced back to his best with a win in the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He has previously won on slow ground, and the rain-hit surface should blunt the speed of many rivals.
US raider Bacio is a real speedball and was a brilliant winner at Royal Ascot, but the ground is a concern for Wesley Ward's three-year-old, who has only raced on a fast surface. Francis Graffard's French raider Rayevka has been well backed and will go in the ground, while Asfoora won this race last year and posted her best effort for some time at Goodwood behind American Affair.
Pershaada is the only two-year-old in the race, and her 12-1 odds are a tempting each-way play. Night Raider rates the each-way play, with a good draw if he gets away well.
Zennor Storm fancied in Sky Bet Mile Handicap
Zennor Storm is fancied to blow rivals away in the 1.50 Sky Bet Mile Handicap. The three-year-old bounced back to form at Glorious Goodwood when second to Exclusive Code, who he meets again. A gelding operation seems to have revitalised William Haggas' son of Mohaather, and his pedigree suggests he should handle the rain-softened ground.
Stablemate Eklleem is interesting as he is unexposed, while Bearish catches the eye at 20-1. Oisin Murphy rides Ed Dunlop's gelding, who has only had four runs but is improving. Le Samourai has a similar profile and could surprise at a big price.
Amiloc Nap in Lonsdale Cup Stakes
Amiloc is strongly fancied to enjoy a change of fortune in the 2.25 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes. Ralph Beckett's classy type unseated Hector Crouch when leaving the stalls in the Goodwood Cup last month, but earlier ran a blinder at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes. This two-mile trip on slower ground looks tailor-made for Amiloc.
Market rival Caballo De Mar appeared not to stay in the Ascot Gold Cup and will be more at home over the shorter distance. Quickthorn won this race in 2022 and returns after 707 days off the track, while Illinois looks a fair price for an each-way poke at 12-1.
Never Enough tipped in Gimcrack Stakes
Never Enough is tipped to spring a surprise in the 3.00 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Ed Walker's colt scored with real authority on King George day at Ascot and holds Group One entries in the Middle Park and Dewhurst at Newmarket. Matteo is two from two at Beverley, and his trainer Kevin Ryan has won the contest four times; he seems overpriced at around 20-1.
Master Vintner and Food For Thought selections
Master Vintner is the each-way selection in the 4.10 Assured Data Protection Handicap. The four-year-old scored cosily at Thirsk 14 days ago with first-time headgear, and won on heavy ground last year. Explode won impressively last weekend but carries a penalty, while Wave Rider was unlucky at Goodwood.
In the 5.20 Sky Bet Fillies' Handicap, Food For Thought is tipped after a comfortable win at Nottingham in June and a solid second at Newmarket. Janey Mackers is a strong each-way fancy at 12-1 under Tom Marquand after a third at Chester.
