Aussie ace Asfoor and Big Evs are set to renew their rivalry in the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.
Asfoora rattled home to deny Big Evs in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, but the Mick Appleby-trained speedster quickly equalled the scores when battling on bravely to get the better of Asfoora in the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The pair both featured among the fourteen declarations for the five-furlong top-level prize, with bookmakers Paddy Power making the Australian speedster the 2/1 market leader ahead of Mick Appleby's Breeders' Cup hero Big Evs, who is a 7/2 chance with the same firm.
Big Evs might have flopped in this contest twelve months ago, but it's easy to put a line through that given he was a two-year-old taking on older sprinters. Mick Appleby's son of Blue Point has winning course and distance form to his name having landed the Listed Westow Stakes on his reappearance this season, and the prospect of rattling fast ground holds no fears, with his owners already dreaming of breaking the track record.
The speedy Glorious Goodwood scorer should put up a bold bid in his bid to double his Group 1 tally, but with the suspicion that York will play to the strengths of his Aussie Royal Ascot conqueror, he may have to play second fiddle once again.
Henry Dwyer's team were seen brimming from ear to ear after Asfoora glided to Royal Ascot glory and connection's love affair with the UK may well continue on the Knavesmire on Friday. The daughter of Flying Artie looked to struggle coming down the hill at Goodwood and ultimately, he probably did well to get within a short-head of the winner, especially given she was carrying a 5lb penalty that day. The return to a flat track at York looks sure to suit and with Asfoora now almost back on level weights, she looks to have every chance of getting back to winning ways.
That said, make no mistake there are plenty of notable each-way contenders that require serious consideration.
Ed Bethell's Regional, who landed the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last season, was only a length behind Asfoora at Royal Ascot and had excuses when racing close to a frantic pace over six furlongs in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury last time. The drop back to five furlongs on quick ground looks likely to play to his strengths and add in the fact the yard has been firing in winners left right and centre in recent weeks, then you have a horse that needs the utmost respect.
George Boughey has made it no secret he doesn't like running horses at York, but the Newmarket-based handler was quick to make an exception when declaring his star filly Believing this morning. The Highclere Thoroughbred-owned filly ran on strongly to finish third behind Asfoora and Big Evs at Glorious Goodwood and is another who should appreciate the return to this flatter track.
A shock winner of this twelve months ago, Live In The Dream has somewhat lost his way this season, but Adam West's charge showed signs that a revival was near when fourth behind the aforementioned three reopposing horses at Goodwood earlier in the month.
Archie Watson's 2023 Group 1 King's Stand Stakes winner Bradsell returned from a lengthy absence with a smooth victory in Listed company at Deauville, proving he retains at least a good chunk of his ability, while course and distance winner Starlust and last season's Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes heroine Azure Blue both add further intrigue.
