Odds and betting predictions for the 2024 Nunthorpe Stakes
This Group One headlines day three of Ebor Festival at York on Friday 23rd August
Azure Blue is our value pick at 25/1
Expired
Sean Kirrane riding Live In The Dream (pink) win The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York. (Getty)
One of the most famous sprint contests staged in the UK is the Nunthorpe Stakes. This Group One celebrated a century of renewals in 2023 and a fantastic field has been confirmed for the 101st renewal on Friday.
Here's our free guide to the 2024 Nunthorpe Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2024 Nunthorpe Stakes Odds
Name
Odds
Asfoora
2/1
Big Evs
5/2
Bradsell
7/1
Believing
8/1
Regional
10/1
Live In The Dream
10/1
Bar
16/1
2024 Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
The draw has placed potential front-runners right across the track, so it's hard to say how this year's Nunthorpe will unfold. Live In The Dream benefitted from an easy lead 12 months ago, and while that's unlikely to happen again, you can see why each-way backers have latched onto the defending champion.
Just a head separated Big Evs and Asfoora in the King George Stakes earlier this month. Henry Dwyer's mare was too good for Mick Appleby's stable star at Royal Ascot and I expect the form of that Goodwood contest will be reversed on Friday. Neither, however, appeal at short prices in what is often an unpredictable affair.
Believing was my pick at Goodwood, where George Boughey's filly caught a rough passage through the contest. With Ryan Moore in the plate, she appeals each-way. Bradsell has to be in the discussion, having returned to action with a victory in France, and if there is any easing in the ground then Starlust - two-from-two on the Knavesmire this term - cannot be ruled out.
Makarova ran a mighty race in last year's Nunthorpe and returns to York in decent form. Frost At Dawn beat the classy Star Of Mystery on his only career start over the minimum distance out in Meydan back in March, and he's of interest at a lengthy price.
Michael Dods and Paul Mulrennan know a thing or two about winning the Nunthorpe. The pair claimed back-to-back wins with Mecca's Angel almost a decade ago and they team up with another mare, AZURE BLUE (25/1) in Friday's renewal.
Azure Blue (purple/pink) winning the 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes at York in 2023. (Getty)
Having started the 2022 season rated just 77, Azure Blue flew up the ratings over the next 12 months. Mulrennan's mount won back-to-back Listed races at Newmarket, before lowering Highfield Princess' colours with a superb victory in the Duke Of York Stakes here at York in May of 2023.
Azure Blue only ran once more that season, finishing a well-beaten sixth in the July Cup. Having only been beaten fourth lengths in this year's Duke Of York on her seasonal reappearance, Dods' five-year-old was heavily backed for the Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock, but the ground turned against Azure Blue in the build-up and the favourite was beaten comfortably.
On her first start over the minimum distance, Paul Mulrennan's mount practically walked out of the stalls in the Land O'Burns Fillies' Stakes at Ayr, giving the field a decent headstart. Azure Blue worked her way back into contention and found an extra gear in the closing stages, eventually forcing a dead-heat with Beautiful Diamond.
Having shown there's still plenty of gas left in the tank, I expect Michael Dods has been training Azure Blue with the Nunthorpe in mind since that win at Ayr. Mulrennan will be pleased with a central draw in stall six and Azure Blue has enough course form to suggest that she could trouble the leading contenders.
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