Glass Slippers to miss Nunthorpe ahead of Flying Five defence

Triple Group 1-winning sprinter Glass Slippers will bypass next Friday’s Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes and make her next appearance in the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh next month.

The Kevin Ryan-trained five-year-old mare, winner of Longchamp’s Prix de l’Abbaye in 2019, arguably enjoyed her finest hour when producing a thrilling late surge under regular partner Tom Eaves to secure the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland last November.

Nunthorpe Stakes card and betting

Glass Slippers, who made a pleasing seasonal reappearance at Goodwood last month after a minor setback ruled her out of Royal Ascot, will once again be targeted at a potentially lucrative autumn campaign, and Ryan revealed on RPTV’s What A Shout! on Friday the intention to swerve York and prepare her for a defence of the Flying Five crown she lifted last year.

“She’s in great form,” Ryan said. “I was delighted with her run at Goodwood. She came there looking like she had a real winning chance and just needed the run.

"We were absolutely delighted with her. She had a tiny setback, which meant she missed Ascot, so we didn’t rush her back.

“The plan was to use Goodwood as a stepping stone for the rest of the season. I am in discussion with the owners and we decided we’ll take the same route as we did last year and go to Ireland with her. It’s tried, tested and proven.”

Glass Slippers, who had been a best-priced 11-1 for the Nunthorpe, finished third in the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood last month to Suesa, who ran out a deeply impressive winner.

Glass Slippers missed the 2020 Nunthorpe after finishing second to Battaash at Goodwood before proving half a length too strong for Keep Busy at the Curragh.

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