2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Tips - Two selections for Friday's big sprint
The 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, one of the UK's premier sprint races, features a competitive field with Bacio as the favourite, but attention turns to American Affair and Starlust as strong value selections. American Affair bounced back at Goodwood and has proven Group One credentials, while Starlust, a Breeders' Cup winner, shows promise after a recent return to form. Both horses are tipped to challenge the favourite, making them the recommended bets for this year’s exciting renewal at York.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes
- This Group One headlines day three of Ebor Festival at York on Friday 21st August
- American Affair and Starlust are our two against the field
One of the most famous sprint contests staged in the UK is the Nunthorpe Stakes. This Group One was first staged at York over a century ago and an intriguing field will line up for this year's renewal of this five-furlong speed test.
Here's our free guide to the 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes, including our best betting tips.
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bacio | 3/1 |
| Rayevka | 11/2 |
| Asfoora | 13/2 |
| American Affair | 8/1 |
| Mission Central | 10/1 |
| Pershaada | 12/1 |
| Bar | 14/1 |
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Entries
Wesley Ward has come agonisingly close to winning the Nunthorpe on a couple of occasions, and he'll be hoping to see Bacio end his painful wait for a winner at York. Ward's raider bolted up in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot, and Juan Hernandez's mount tops the betting for Friday's main event.
2025 winner Asfoora will make the final start of her glittering career in this year's Nunthorpe. France will be represented by Rayevka, who came up just short of Mission Central in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Mission Central drops back to five furlongs, having found six too much of a stretch in the July Cup. American Affair made a welcome return to winning ways in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, and he'll step back up to Group One company. Richard Hannon will be represented by impressive Molecomb Stakes winner Pershaada, and this speedy juvenile will get stacks of weight from the rest of the field.
Night Raider will try to bounce back after limp performances at Ascot and Goodwood. Rumstar takes his chance for Jonny Portman. Jm Jungle runs in the Nunthorpe for a second successive season. Cover Up and Partisan Hero have been declared, after they fought out the finish to the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last month.
Ain't Nobody has barely been mentioned in six starts since a shock runner-up finish in this race 12 months ago. Former Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals takes his chance, along with City Walls Stakes winner Redorange, Heavenly Heather for Tracy Waggott, Ralph Beckett's former Breeders' Cup winner Starlust, and the fillies Azure Angel and Fitzella.
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
All eyes will be on Bacio, as the Palace Of Holyroodhouse winner bids to hand Wesley Ward his first Nunthorpe. Bacio will be the quickest out of the gates, and will probably still be leading heading into the final furlong. Will he see it out? I think not, and I've picked out two contenders to back against the favourite.
AMERICAN AFFAIR (8/1) returned to winning ways in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood. Jim Goldie's star suffered an injury soon after his breakthrough success in the 2025 King Charles III Stakes, and failed to fire on his return to action over six furlongs here at York in May.
Paul Mulrennan's mount then went close behind Night Raider at Haydock, before a limp showing on his return to Royal Ascot. American Affair kept on well from a tricky position to finish a close sixth in the City Walls Stakes back here at York in July, before that superb success on day four at Glorious Goodwood.
American Affair travelled sweetly behind Partisan Hero that day, before kicking clear in the closing stages to snatch a narrow victory. Mulrennan has been drawn right next to Bacio in stall four, which should give American Affair something to aim at, and this in-form sprinter has already proven himself at Group One level.
As has STARLUST (50/1), who ended an excellent three-year-old campaign with a stunning success in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.
Ralph Beckett's sprinter took a shine to York that season, winning a handicap at the Dante Festival before an excellent victory in the 2024 City Walls. Starlust also finished a close third behind Bradsell in that season's Nunthorpe, and was retired to stud in Australia following a fine fourth-placed effort behind American Affair at Royal Ascot the following season.
Sadly, Starlust's swimmers were deemed unsuitable for breeding, and he returned to the track for Ralph Beckett earlier this season. Rossa Ryan's mount didn't show much on his first couple of starts, but showed signs of revival on his return to the City Walls last month, burrowing his way up the rail to get within half a length of Redorange in a bunched finish.
Given his clear liking for this track, I'd be surprised if Beckett hasn't been training Starlust for this assignment since that return to form. Ryan should be able to ride the race as he likes from a central draw in stall 10. If back to his 2024 best, Starlust is certainly capable of landing a blow.
Visit our Nunthorpe Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Friday's races via a mobile or tablet.
Live Stream
Visit our Nunthorpe Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Friday's races via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
American Affair and Starlust are our selections in the 2026 Nunthorpe Stakes.
American Affair
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
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Starlust
2026 Nunthorpe Stakes Tips
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