Super stats for the Nunthorpe at York on Friday

‘Fair’ is one of the descriptions regularly used for York’s Knavesmire, but course experience can clearly come in handy. Sixteen of the past 17 winners of the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes all had at least one previous run at the track, with 11 of those having at least one win there to their name.

That goes back to the last two-year-old winner, Kingsgate Native (2007), who unsurprisingly didn’t have experience of York under his belt, as the Sussex-trained youngster was having just his third start on the racecourse when he became the first juvenile to triumph since Lyric Fantasy in 1992.

Kingsgate Native used the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood as his prep race and this year sees the Ger Lyons-trained Lady Iman bid to follow in his footsteps.

She stormed clear at Goodwood and her owners - the O’Callaghan family of Tally Ho Stud - have had some skin in the game with a juvenile filly in the Nunthope before, as they bred The Platinum Queen who was second to Highfield Princess in the 2022 renewal having been supplemented, like Lady Iman, for £40,000.

She’s a huge player receiving so much weight from her older rivals but clearly doesn’t tick as many trends boxes as some as she – along with fellow two-year-old Spicy Marg - bids to become just the sixth winning two-year-old in the race’s history.

Older Australian mare Asfoora has experience of the track but hasn’t looked at her best this year. However, she may be approaching peak fitness now and her April win in Australia is in her favour, as 16 of the last 17 had at least one previous win that year.

A lack of form over the minimum trip (well beaten on her sole start) counts against impressive course winner Sayidah Dariyan, while King George one-two Jm Jungle and She’s Quality are respected - especially the former who has a good record at York – as that Goodwood contest has provided four of the past 12 winners, two of whom won in West Sussex.

However, the best bet looks to be Arizona Blaze. He went close at this meeting last year when a fine second in the Goffs sales race and has taken his form up a notch this term, most notably when a neck second to Time For Sandals in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

The five-time-winner then ran a career best against older horses/down in trip when beating Mgheera easily in a Curragh Group Two last month.

He loves quick ground, and his experience will stand him in good stead - 16 of the last 17 winners had at least 11 previous runs, while all 17 had at least four wins - so he gets the vote in this ultra-competitive Group One sprint.