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Highfield Princess, the defending champion, has a tough challenge ahead of her as she strives to become a repeat winner of the prestigious Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York this Friday.
It seems that John Quinn's prized horse is reaching its peak just in time for another dazzling performance, much like the one it gave at Knavesmire a year ago. During that time, the horse was able to secure a remarkable hat-trick in the Group One races towards the end of summer, establishing itself as a top contender in the sprinting arena. Following a recent victory at Goodwood, the Highfield Princess team is now poised to participate in what promises to be an exciting competition filled with talented horses.
Quinn said, “We’re happy with her, it’s lovely ground and we’re drawn six of 16, which is fine.
“It’s a spicy race. I think the horse that beat her at Ascot (Bradsell) commands plenty of respect, as does the two-year-old (Big Evs) and there’s a couple of other horses there who, if they bounce back to their best, would have a chance.”
Analyzing The Competition: A Closer Look At Bradsell And Khaadem
Quinn believes that to emerge victorious and defend her crown, the mare will need to perform better than she did last year. The competition includes two previous Royal Ascot winners, a two-year-old and a three-year-old, Bradsell and Khaadem, who had her measure in the King's Stand and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes respectively.
“When a 3YO wins a King’s Stand you have to sit up and take notice and the 2YO is a Royal Ascot winner and a Goodwood winner and looks really tough, hardy and mature, so they are two and something else could pop up who at their best could be in the mix.
“Goodwood was very good, so we’re hopeful anyway. She’s done so much and people expect plenty from her, but she seems in good nick and she loves this place, which is all you can ask.”
It seems that Archie Watson's Bradsell has been missing since winning against Highfield Princess in the King's Stand back in June. However, this speedy horse has already proven to be a strong contender in the minimum distance category. Hollie Doyle, a skilled race pilot, is hopeful that she can finally secure her first victory in this race after coming in second place aboard The Platinum Queen just a year ago.
She said ahead of the Qipco British Champions Series event, “Bradsell is a really good horse and has the heart of a lion. I thought it was a great performance back down to five furlongs in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot. He beat a real sprinting star in Highfield Princess, and the pair of us were clear.
“We thought he might not have as much early speed as the Australian sprinters, but he showed more speed than ever before and really thrived down in trip. He’s our flagbearer at Archie’s and it’s great to be going to the Nunthorpe with a live chance again.”
Frankie Dettori and Twilight Calls: The Dream Team for Nunthorpe
King's Stand fourth Twilight Calls will be partnered by Frankie Dettori in his final Nunthorpe. Henry Candy's 5YO is looking to emulate his grandsire Kyllachy by winning this contest. Meanwhile, Dramatised had no luck in the Ascot contest and finished down the field. Connections believe that the draw and conditions were completely against Karl Burke's filly on that occasion. However, having dazzled at home in the interim, they are excited to see where she places in the sprinting pecking order.
“It was a non-event at Ascot, we thought we were drawn on the wrong side,” said Joe Foley, racing manager for owners Clipper Logistics.
“Danny (Tudhope) came in and said he looked up two furlongs out and they were a long, long way behind. She was just on the wrong side and also the ground was quite dead on the first day of Ascot and she needs fast ground, hence we missed the King George at Goodwood.
“We’ve had a bit of a frustrating summer waiting for fast ground for her, but it looks like we’re going to get it Friday. She has been working very, very well, so it’ll be interesting to see where she stands with the proper Group One sprinters now that she is a mature three-year-old and is getting her ground.
“It will be interesting to watch and we’re looking forward to seeing her run.”
To add Big Evs to the line-up, £40,000 was spent. This horse, who won at the Royal Ascot and Qatar Goodwood Festival, will not only attempt to give trainer Mick Appleby his first Group One victory but also become the first two-year-old winner since Kingsgate Native in 2007.
“It’s good to be going to the Nunthorpe with a horse with a live chance and hopefully he will run well,” said the handler.
“He’s come out of Goodwood really well and we’ve got a good draw as well between two of the favourites. All being well he will run a big race.
“He will be one of my best, he will be up there with all the good ones I’ve had – Danzeno, Caspian Prince and I’m not sure of a better two-year-old we’ve had.
“It would mean a lot to have a Group One winner. It’s what every trainer tries to get and not a lot of trainers ever actually do get one. So it would be nice if we could win one. Hopefully he runs really well and comes back safe and sound.”
Ed Bethell seems to have a shot at his finest hour if his course-and-distance winner, Regional, can pull off a hat-trick in their first attempt at Group One action.
Bethell said, “I’m really happy with him. I would have loved to have got a run into him, but the ground went against him and he wants fast ground. Hopefully it looks like he will get that this week.
“I’ve been really happy with in the interim period, we know he goes really well fresh and I’m looking forward to a big run.
“He’s got a good draw right in the middle which means we can go whichever way we want. We’re drawn next to Highfield Princess and Big Evs and near Bradsell, while Live In The Dream is not far away, so there is a lot of speed in and around us which can only benefit us.
“We’re really looking forward to it and it’s exciting.”
Charlie Hills is no stranger to Nunthorpe success, having trained the unstoppable Battaash to win back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2020. This year, he's entering the five-furlong race with two strong contenders: the surprising Jubilee Stakes champion Khaadem and his stablemate Equality.
“Khaadem is a horse that’s got form over five furlongs and was fourth in this last season,” said Hills.
“He’s been in very good form this year and if he can reproduce that he should be going close as well.”
He added, “Equality was just drawn a little bit out of it at Goodwood I thought, and he struck into himself as well.
“It’s going to be competitive, but if he runs like he did at Sandown, he’ll have a good chance of being close.”
https://www.pedigreequery.com/highfield+princess