'Starman comes out on top' - three experts on who is the best sprinter around

'Starman is the best on quick ground'

It's probably Nature Strip, who has won Group 1s over 5f and 6f in Australia this year. However, from a European perspective I'll stay local to Lambourn and go for Starman, who hails from Ed Walker's yard.

He was well on top in the July Cup, which I think is the best and most prestigious sprint in the world, and lost little in defeat when third on easy going in the Maurice de Gheest last time.

Lethal on quick ground, he'll be hard to beat if conditions are in his favour for next month's Sprint Cup at Haydock.
James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

Watch Winter Power win the Nunthorpe

'Suesa could prove best in autumn'

Over six furlongs I would side with ready July Cup winner Starman, whose stamina was stretched on soft ground in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last time.

Suesa’s Nunthorpe effort can be marked up significantly as she was drawn away from the blistering pace and will be better on easier ground.

Suesa: not best suited to YorkCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Her style of racing is not best suited to York and she may well confirm that she is the best 5f sprinter in the autumn. Winter Power will no doubt be a force in this division though, having learned to race the right way round.
Jack Haynes, reporter

Watch Starman win the July Cup

'No standout dominant sprinter on show'

There's not a dominant sprinter at the moment. Horses like Battaash and Muhaarar are rare and sprinting is such a competitive division where the margins are so fine.

We are in one of those cycles where there are a number of horses who are capable of winning in turn when everything falls just right for them, and the likes of the Sprint Cup, Prix de l'Abbaye and British Champions Sprint could go to any one of ten or so horses.

It's an exciting and competitive division with so little in it in terms of ability that handling the conditions on any given day will be what decides races.
Stuart Riley, assistant news editor

Read more on the York Ebor festival:

Winter Power gives local trainer Tim Easterby memorable Nunthorpe win

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Ultimate professional Snowfall turns on the charm in Knavesmire procession

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