Confirmed runners and riders for the Nunthorpe on day three of the York Ebor festival on Friday

Oisin Murphy believes Asfoora is working at her best since arriving in Britain as the ace Australian sprinter gears up for the Coolmore-sponsored Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35) at York on Friday.

The Henry Dwyer-trained six-year-old was one of 14 runners confirmed for the £500,000 contest on the third day of the Ebor festival, where her third match-up with Big Evs is sure to be the highlight.

She beat him in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but, when having to concede 5lb for that top-level win, was narrowly edged out in the King George at Glorious Goodwood. She will be on 6lb better terms for their clash on the Knavesmire.

Murphy, who rode her at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, said: “I sat on her on Monday morning and she has never looked or moved better. 

“I have a lot of respect for the opposition, and there’s more to it than the two of them, but she’s in great form and she’s better off at the weights with Big Evs this time.”

Oisin Murohy and Asfoora after her victory in the King Charles III Stakes Credit: Patrick McCann

Tom Marquand, the rider of Big Evs, is relishing the challenge. 

He said: “It looks a fantastic race and, while that’s what everyone wants to see, it’s sadly going to make his job a little bit harder. But he’s super-straightforward and he’s in the form of his life,” he said.

“Asfoora beat us at Ascot, and if we were going back there I think I’d be pretty scared of her as it’s a stiff five, but we turned the form around when we beat her at Goodwood and I think York, as a speed track, will favour him more than her. 

“I know she’s 6lb better off and we only beat her a short head, but I don’t think it’s as straightforward as that and with a bit of luck we’ll come out on top again.” 

There is new opposition in the form of Bradsell, who has not been seen on a racecourse in Britain since finishing third behind Live In The Dream in this race last season. He had a successful warm-up for this race in a Listed race at Deauville this month.

Last year's surprise winner Live In The Dream returns, while Believing, who was behind Asfoora and Big Evs at Ascot and Goodwood, takes them on again.

The locally trained Regional has yet to win this season but has shown a high level of form, including when a length behind Asfoora in the King Charles III. He was fifth in this race last season before going on to win the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

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Two-time course-and-distance winner Starlust and Frost At Dawn are two more three-year-old runners in the field, while Ponntos represents the Czech-based Miroslav Nieslanik.

The line-up is completed by Washington Heights, Azure Blue, Makarova, So Majestic and Clarendon House. Vadream was the only runner withdrawn at the declaration stage.

All nine runners, including Vauban and Point Lonsdale, stood their ground in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (2.25).

The Strikin Viking is among ten runners in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (3.00).

Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes runners and riders

Bradsell Hollie Doyle
Clarendon House PJ McDonald
Live In The Dream Sean Kirrane
Ponntos Mickael Barzalona
Regional Callum Rodriguez
Washington Heights Tom Eaves
Big Evs Tom Marquand
Starlust Rossa Ryan
Asfoora Oisin Murphy
Azure Blue Paul Mulrennan
Believing Ryan Moore
Makarova Hector Crouch
So Majestic Joe Fanning
Frost At Dawn Jim Crowley

Paddy Power: 15-8 Asfoora, 7-2 Big Evs, 11-2 Bradsell, 7 Regional, 8 Believing, 10 Live In The Dream, 16 Washington Heights, Starlust, 25 Azure Blue, 33 Clarendon House, Makarova, 50 Frost At Dawn, 66 Ponntos, 150 So Majestic

Read these next:

'I'm siding with two big Juddmonte outsiders' - Maddy Playle answers the burning questions for day one of the Ebor festival 

Myth or legend? Juddmonte International favourite City Of Troy afforded star billing on an outstanding opening day at York 

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