Suesa and Golden Pal add international flavour to Nunthorpe confirmations

Overseas raiders Suesa and Golden Pal headline 17 confirmations for next Friday's Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35), the feature race on day three of York's Ebor Festival.

After the recent retirement of Battaash, winner of the last two Nunthorpes, the spot is open to crown a new king or queen of the sprinting division, and commanding King George Qatar Stakes winner Suesa, trained in France by Francois Rohaut, remains on course to do just that.

American trainer Wesley Ward confirmed Golden Pal, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November and a Group 3 at Saratoga last time out, as a starter. Earlier this week, Ward hailed the three-year-old colt as likely to be the best horse he has trained.

Glass Slippers was taken out by Kevin Ryan and aimed at the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh next month, as revealed by the trainer on the Racing Post's 'What A Shout' on Friday.

The remaining market leaders all stood their ground with the Archie Watson-trained Dragon Symbol looking to reverse a run of four straight second places, including when a three-length runner-up to Suesa at Goodwood.

North Yorkshire trainer Tim Easterby is excited at running King Power Racing's exciting filly Winter Power, winner of the Listed John Smith's City Walls Stakes over course and distance on her last start, on his home turf.

Winter Power: one of 17 confirmations for the NunthorpeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Easterby said: “This is our goal for every horse that we have, really. Everybody up here that owns horses in the north wants to go to York’s August meeting.

"It’s like the southern lads going to Goodwood or the Newmarket July meeting. This has been the aim all year. She is in great form.”

A clash between star stayers Trueshan and Stradivarius remains a possibility after both were confirmed for the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes (2.25), although rain must arrive for the Alan King-trained Goodwood Cup winner to take his chance.

King warns fast going would scupper Trueshan's clash with Stradivarius next week

After being withdrawn from the Goodwood Cup a couple of hours before the race due to the ground, Stradivarius's joint-trainer John Gosden immediately pointed to York as the target, and victory would seal a third triumph in the 2m½f Group 2 to see the seven-year-old become the most successful in the history of the Lonsdale Cup.

Princess Zoe was left in by trainer Tony Mullins after she finished second in the Group 3 St Leger Trial at the Curragh on Friday evening.

Ballydoyle's Wordsworth and Santiago, as well as the Dermot Weld-trained Search For A Song, were among those removed as the field was whittled down to 12.

Nunthorpe Stakes confirmations

Arecibo Robert Cowell
Dakota Gold Michael Dods
Emaraaty Ana Kevin Ryan
King's Lynn Andrew Balding
Moss Gill Ed Bethell
Bedford Flyer Les Eyre
Dragon Symbol Archie Watson
Golden Pal Wesley Ward
Rohaan David Evans
Ubettabelieveit Nigel Tinkler
Chil Chil Andrew Balding
Liberty Beach John Quinn
Que Amoro Michael Dods
Suesa Francois Rohaut
Winter Power Tim Easterby
Boonie Kevin Ryan
Chipotle Eve Johnson Houghton

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