'Amazing horse' Big Evs exacts revenge on Asfoora as pair set up Nunthorpe clash after thrilling King George

A new chapter was written in the remarkable Big Evs story as the bullet sprinter exacted revenge on his Royal Ascot conqueror Asfoora in a blistering King George Qatar Stakes.

It was after winning the Molecomb Stakes at this track last year that an emotional Paul Teasdale told the story of his late friend Paul Evans, and the owner found himself retelling the tale back in Goodwood's unique cauldron of emotion.

He was there for a third time and a second this week after another success in Wednesday's big juvenile contest. And while the 25-1 shot Big Mojo channelled his illustrious stablemate to break his maiden in a quicker time than the King George, Teasdale admitted watching Big Evs is unlike anything else he has experienced.

"He means everything," he said. "Because of who he's named after, it's always an emotional day and it's quite tough on the horse now with the level of expectation. I felt the pressure today a little bit, more than on Wednesday.

"He's different to a lot of horses because he can take the early speed and stay there. He can cruise but then see it out. Even when Asfoora came up to him, she's a great horse, but we were pretty confident about getting across the line first."

The Australian mare ate up ground from further back in the field and eroded the deficit to a short head under Oisin Murphy. However, she was unable to pass Big Evs, who sustained his run after tracking the front-running Ponntos into the race.

Along with Teasdale, Tom Marquand was always confident his mount would hold off the late challenge, and the rider is optimistic a third clash with Asfoora will go the way of Big Evs in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at the end of the month.

"Even when the mare challenged, it didn't feel like they were ever going to get by," he said. "He just kept extending his head out and this track turned the tables for him. He's got so much natural speed, it suits him down to the ground.

"York also suits him beautifully. He's bounced into his three-year-old career in as good if not better form, and to me he feels like he's got even faster, so it's exciting for the rest of the season."

Asfoora closes down Big Evs, but it's not enough as the three-year-old holds onCredit: Edward Whitaker

While avenging last year's lacklustre showing in the Nunthorpe will be next and potential options are plentiful for Big Evs, his trainer Mick Appleby is already dreading the day his stable star leaves his Langham Stables and does not return.

"He'll be retired at the end of this season unless I can persuade Paul to keep him in training for another year," he said. "He's definitely been important to my career and he's been great for everybody.

“I thought they were going to come and do us at the end today, but he's very tough and he found a bit more.

"He's an amazing horse. I knew it would suit him here a lot better than Ascot with the quicker ground and the stiff finish, so he had everything in his favour.

"We've got the Nunthorpe, possibly the Prix de l'Abbaye if the ground comes up quick, and I'd imagine whatever happens we'd top his year off back at the Breeders' Cup, but York is the plan now.

"I think he had a very hard race at Goodwood last year and it probably just came too soon for him. Taking the older horses on as a two-year-old is very hard to do and not many horses have done it. That was probably a mistake going there, but Paul was desperate to win it."

Henry Dwyer shares that hunger and is looking forward to the rematch in which he hopes a smoother passage will make the difference for his mare, who came so close to overcoming her 5lb penalty.

"She's gone as well as we could have hoped and we're very proud," he said. "Big Evs controlled his own destiny whereas we were stuck behind a couple and got a bit of a bump, which probably cost us the win, but she's run well and we're more than happy just to be competing."

An old-school sprinting rivalry is just what is needed to sustain racing fans through the summer. York, it's over to you.

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