The third time was the charm for the Australian-trained sprinter Asfoora as Henry Dwyer’s mare took the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes, the feature on day three of the Ebor Festival, after near-misses at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. “It’d be a bad night to be a beer in York, I’d reckon,” Dwyer told ITV Racing, before heading to the winner’s enclosure to kick off the celebrations.
Oisin Murphy enjoyed a perfect trip on the 11-1 shot, as he was able to slipstream Night Raider, the early pacesetter, through the first three-and-a-half furlongs and then quicken into a decisive lead when Danny Tudhope’s mount drifted right a furlong out. But while it was very much Plan A from the rider’s point of view, the dedication required to get Asfoora spot-on for this high-speed dash down the Knavesmire should not be underestimated.
