Mickael Barzalona: the inside track on my Nunthorpe ride Rayevka
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 21 Aug 2026
Former French Champion Jockey and World Pool ambassador Mickael Barzalona shares his thoughts on his mount Rayevka in the Nunthorpe Stakes - on day three of York's Ebor Festival on Friday, live on Racing TV.
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I think Zaydann ran well in the International Stakes.
He wasn’t beaten far behind Ombudsman and Constitution River, so it was a respectable effort, especially on his first try in such a strong Group 1.
It’s nice to be able to judge him against those kinds of horses and to know that he is a very nice horse himself.
Race 4 | G1 Nunthorpe Stakes
RAYEVKA proved her quality last year when finishing a close third in the Commonwealth Cup.
She went close again at Royal Ascot this year when just beaten a head by Mission Central in the King Charles III Stakes. Mission Central doesn’t have a weight advantage this time, though, so that will make it interesting.
Rayevka loves to come from behind and pass horses, so we always need a bit of luck with her.
There’s been rain at York and if the ground gets softer it won’t be ideal for her. She prefers better ground, but she has already run on soft and has run okay.
I expect her to run a good race, I just don’t know if the ground will be ideal.
I’m not sure softer ground will suit the American horse Bacio, especially as he’s a frontrunner, so that’s a question mark for him.
American Affair came back to form at Goodwood last time and could be a danger.
Asfoora is a talented filly. She has lost her form a bit recently, but she could bounce back.
Even though Mission Central ran a bit below form in the July Cup last time, he was good at Ascot, and he could be the main danger again.
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