Ebor Festival Day 3: US raider, Nunthorpe preview and a Willie Mullins runner

Wille Mullins has some decent chances on opening day.

Friday is set to provide another excellent seven-race card from York, as it’s Day 3 of the Ebor Festival. We’ve previewed the day’s big Group 1 and highlighted a Willie Mullins-trained runner who could be of interest. US-based trainer Wesley Ward sends an exciting horse over for the big one too. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Race of the day: Nunthorpe Stakes

The Nunthorpe Stakes is a 5f sprint with a rather unique twist, as two-year-olds are eligible to compete against their elders. Richard Hannon’s Pershada is the only juvenile in the field this time around. Bacio heads the betting and it’s very easy to see why, after his Royal Ascot exploits.

Aussie raider Asfoora hasn’t been at her best for much of the season but there were signs of a return to form with an improved display at Goodwood last time out. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Rayevka is an interesting runner on the evidence of his run in the King Charles III Stakes.

Mission Central was the winner of Royal Ascot’s Group 1 5f sprint and he is better than he showed when below-par in the July Cup over further last time. American Affair won at Goodwood last month and has the ability to make his presence felt at this level.

Willie Mullins sends one to York

It’s always interesting when Willie Mullins sends a runner over to Britain, whether that’s on the Flat or over jumps, and he will be represented by Columbus in the Lonsdale Cup.

He was a smart Flat horse in France and he landed a Group 3 over 1m7f for previous connections. The son of Oasis Dream was an impressive winner of a Galway maiden hurdle earlier this month but his run in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot was a little disappointing. Clearly he’s capable of better.

Columbus

Analysis

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US raider alert

Wesley Ward has had lots of success with his runners in Britain over the years and Bacio appears to have the ability to go close in the Nunthorpe Stakes. He landed a Royal Ascot handicap with a very impressive performance off a mark of 100 and that evidence suggests he’s a Group 1 horse in the making.