Rayevka can carry Nunthorpe back to France
WITH the rain that has fallen at York and dry conditions forecast for the rest of the meeting, the ground could ride tacky on Friday.
That’s likely to place emphasis on stamina and the conditions should suit French raider RAYEVKA in the day’s big race, the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35pm).
Francis-Henri Graffard’s four-year-old is a proven Group One performer who looks ready to win a race at the highest level.
She was last seen in June in the Group One King Charles III Stakes where she was just touched off by Mission Central and can probably be considered slightly unlucky to have finished second that day.
She is better off at the weights here with Mission Central and looks capable of turning that form around.
Prior to that run, she showed a liking for softer ground when impressively winning her Ascot trial in a Longchamp Group Three over five furlongs.
I can see her finishing her race off strongly and I think odds of 7/2 are more than fair.
All these sprinters have a habit of beating each other and there can be surprise results.
With that in mind, I’m going to throw a few together in a World Pool Quinella in the hope of striking the jackpot if we can find the first two finishers.
STARLUST has won a Grade One on rattling fast ground at the Breeders’ Cup but Ralph Beckett’s five-year-old also has form on soft ground.
He also has strong form at York, winning the Listed City Walls Stakes over this trip two years ago and then finishing third in the Nunthorpe of the same year.
As well as being a selection for our Quinella, I’d also advise a small each-way bet at 33/1.
Along with Rayevka and Starlust, the third horse for the Quinella is JM JUNGLE.
John and Sean Quinn’s horse is another York winner and went close over this course and distance two starts ago.
He’s versatile ground wise and proved he remains in good form after finishing fifth in the Group Two King George at Goodwood recently.
POINTERS FRIDAY
Rayevka 3.35pm York Ebor Festival
Starlust e/w 3.35pm York Ebor Festival
Rayevka, Starlust, JM Jungle 3.35pm York Ebor Festival