Friday\u2019s feature race at York is the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes – one of the fastest races on the flat calendar. Battaash reigned supreme over the flying 5f in both 2019 and 2020 but, following his retirement, a new speed king (or queen!) will be crowned. We\u2019ve put together a Nunthorpe Stakes 2021 Preview and taken a closer look at all 14 runners for the big race on day three of the Ebor Festival.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Arecibo<\/strong><\/p>\n Has truly thrived this summer, running 2nd in the King\u2019s Stand at Royal Ascot before placing in the Coral Charge and then running 4th behind Suesa at Goodwood. Arecibo should be bang in the mix again.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dakota Gold<\/strong><\/p>\n Excelled last autumn to rattle off a three-timer in Group and Listed contests and made an encouraging reappearance this season over this course and distance. Unsuited by Chester last time out and is another lively outsider in the 2021 Nunthorpe Stakes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Emaraaty Ana<\/strong><\/p>\n Won the Gimcrack Stakes in 2018 and was back to winning ways at Hamilton last time out but brought up the rear in this race last year and seems to struggle in top grade company.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Moss Gill<\/strong><\/p>\n Has won over this course and distance twice and ran an excellent race to finish 2nd behind Winter Power last time out but looks like another who struggles in the top grade.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bedford Flyer<\/strong><\/p>\n Has enjoyed a fruitful season so far including a course and distance success in May and an excellent 2nd at Ascot last month – this is a huge step up in class though and he looks likely to come up short in the 2021 Nunthorpe Stakes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dragon Symbol<\/strong><\/p>\n Another Nunthorpe Stakes runner who’s enjoyed an excellent 2021 – winning his first four races and then running 2nd in his last four including in the July Cup and at Goodwood behind Suesa.<\/p>\n Looks a smart sprinter in the making and shouldn\u2019t be out the places here.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Golden Pal<\/strong><\/p>\n US raider who blew them away from the front in the Breeders\u2019 Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint last season.<\/p>\n Won on seasonal reappearance this year in a Grade 3 at Saratoga last month and has been described by his trainer as potentially the best horse he\u2019s ever had – looks to have a huge chance here.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Rohaan<\/strong><\/p>\n Was in scintillating form earlier in the season – including winning the Wokingham – but has struggled in recent weeks in the July Cup and Prix Maurice de Gheest.<\/p>\n If he can bounce back from those disappointments and run to the level of his Wokingham success he could go very close.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Ubettabelieveit<\/strong><\/p>\n Looked a smart prospect last season when landing the Group 2 Flying Childers but has seemed well off the pace in three runs so far this season – plenty to prove now.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chil Chil<\/strong><\/p>\n Put in two solid efforts to win a Newmarket handicap and the Group 3 Chipchase but was then down the field in the July Cup behind Starman – needs a huge step up to land this.<\/p>\n