Group One Nunthorpe Stakes Guide 2023

Charles Hills-trained Khaadem will be the ride of Jamie Spencer on Friday.

The seven-year-old was last seen finishing fifth of eight when three and a half lengths behind Shaquille in the G1 July Cup over six furlongs at Newmarket.

He returns to five furlongs for the first time on British soil since finishing fourth of 13 in this race last year. Could have an each-way chance.

Frankie Dettori’s final ride in the Nunthorpe comes on board Twilight Calls. The five-year-old finished fourth of 17 in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes.

On that occasion, he finished over three lengths behind re-opposing rival Bradsell. He was also well-beaten by Dramatised earlier in the season over five furlongs in the G2 Temple Stakes.

Equality is the runner for Charles Hills and Danny Muscutt in the Nunthorpe on Friday.

The five-year-old finished six lengths behind Highfield Princess when seventh of eleven in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes earlier this month.

But a return to good ground will certainly suit after landing the G3 Coral Charge at Sandown over five furlongs in July.

Highfield Princess was the dominant winner of this race 12 months ago, as she finished over two lengths clear of The Platinum Queen.

The John Quinn-trained mare is yet to reach the same heights this term after failing to win in three starts before finally getting her nose in front at Goodwood in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes.

She is drawn on the desired side of the track, but she could be vulnerable against some progressive rivals.

Regional is a runner for trainer Edward Bethell this week. The five-year-old has been in excellent form over five furlongs this season, landing back-to-back wins.

That includes a success over course and distance in late May, as he beat Korker by half a length in a handicap. That was followed up with a victory over Equilateral by over a length in the Achilles Stakes.

His chances are helped by the fact that 18 of the previous 21 winners have been drawn eleven or lower. Should be bang there.

Tees Spirit will be among the outside chances for trainer Adrian Nicholls this week.

The five-year-old was easily beaten on his first start following wind surgery earlier this month, as he could finish only ninth of ten in the Shergar Cup Dash.

He hasn’t made much of an impression in his previous four starts since a narrow victory in listed stakes company at Tipperary.

Sean Kirrane will take the ride on Adam West’s runner in the race this week. Live In The Dream will be among the outsiders in the betting, and he is without a win in four starts in stakes company.

His latest effort came over five furlongs in stakes company at Deauville, as he finished fourth. He would likely want juice in the ground after finishing in the top three on each of his three starts on soft this year, including two wins.

Nymphadora will be ride of Oisin Murphy in the Nunthorpe this week. The four-year-old for trainer Andrew Balding has form to find on a number of re-appearing rivals this week.

She finished over six lengths behind Highfield Princess when sixth in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes, while she was also beaten by Makarova at Ayr over five furlongs in late June.

Clive Cox’s runner in the race this week is Get Ahead. This filly was beaten by three lengths by Equality on her previous start in the G3 Coral Charge.

Her only win this season was secured over six furlongs at Haydock, and the four-year-old is among the runners that is likely to struggle following the draw.

Jonny Murtagh’s runner in the race this week is Ladies Church, who will be the ride of Ben Coen. This four-year-old was tenth of eleven in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes on her previous effort.

However, she could yet be an interesting contender this week, as she was excellent earlier in the campaign over five furlongs at Naas, beating Moss Tucker by three lengths. She’s among the lively outsiders.

Tom Marquand takes the ride on Ed Walker-trained Makarova on Friday. The four-year-old finished four and a half lengths behind Highfield Princess in the G2 King George Qatar Stakes on her previous outing.

She has won just once from seven efforts in stakes company, but her second behind Equality in the G3 Coral Charge could give her each-way value.

Karl Burke’s runner in the race this week is Dramatised. Things didn’t go to plan for the filly at Ascot in late June, as she finished 15th of 16 in the G1 King’s Stand.

However, she remains a runner of huge interest based on her excellent showing at Haydock in late May to land the G2 Temple Stakes.

But, she is drawn on the wrong side of the track and was back in fifth on her only previous effort at York.

Aidan O’Brien’s runner in the feature on Friday is Aseop’s Fables. Ryan Moore takes the ride on a huge outsider at the prices.

The three-year-old returned from a 182-day break at Navan in late April, finishing six lengths behind Ocean Quest.

That was followed with a three-length defeat to Shaquille. He steps back to five furlongs this week.

Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson join forces with Bradsell this week, and the three-year-old appears to be among the most progressive runners involved.

He was excellent on his previous start, landing the G1 King’s Stand Stakes by a length from Highfield Princess. That was his third win in six career starts, and was an excellent first effort over five furlongs.

James Doyle takes the ride on Kevin Ryan-trained Queen Me on Friday.

This three-year-old has won just once from five career starts, and she drops down in trip this week after finishing sixth in the G1 Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs.

She finished ahead of Dramatised at York last season, but there has been limited evidence of improvement throughout her three-year-old campaign.

One of Andrea Atzeni’s final rides in the UK will come on board Big Evs on Friday.

The two-year-old takes his chance in this company this week after impressing over five furlongs to land the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot and the G3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.

The most recent two-year-old to win the race was Kingsgate Native in 2007, but Big Evs is well worth his place in this line-up.