'He's proven in this grade' - Egan positive about Nunthorpe ride Dragon Symbol

Dragon Symbol, a classy sprinter who might have taken some time to hit top gear for his new yard this term, has plenty in his favour for Friday's Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35), according to jockey David Egan who feels his partner has been overlooked.

Third in the race last year when trained by Archie Watson, the Yoshiro Kubota-owned Dragon Symbol moved to Roger Varian over the winter and registered his first success since the switch in a conditions race at Hamilton last month.

He features among 15 declarations for the Nunthorpe and his opponents include the exciting Royal Aclaim, Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Highfield Princess and The Platinum Queen, who was supplemented for £40,000 last week.

Dragon Symbol (blue and yellow silks) finished first in last year's Commonwealth Cup, but was demoted to secondCredit: Edward Whitaker

Egan, whose mount can be backed at 25-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair, said: "It was great to get his head in front – it was a real confidence-booster for him. It was a step in the right direction and we put the hood on, which is retained for the Nunthorpe.

"His run at Haydock in the Achilles Stakes behind Raasel was strong as Tabdeed, who was behind us, has since finished second in the Stewards' Cup.

"It's a competitive, but open race and if he can take another step in the right direction we'd be hopeful of a good run."

Dragon Symbol finished first in last year's Commonwealth Cup, but was demoted by the stewards for bumping Campanelle, who was placed first.

"He's got the ability and any rain will be a positive as there was plenty of ease in the ground when he bounced back at Hamilton the other day," Egan added.

"He's proven at the top level, while some of the horses ahead of him in the betting aren't and a performance like last year should put him thereabouts.

"I'm drawn 15 and Highfield Princess, a top-class mare, is drawn beside us, while The Platinum Queen, who clocked a fast time at Goodwood, is 13, and Royal Aclaim is out in two. I'm happy I've got a few fancied horses around me."

York also stages the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (2.25) on Friday and old rivals Stradivarius and Trueshan are set to meet after both featured in the final eight-strong field.

Trueshan twice emerged on top when the pair met last season, but was one place behind his rival in the recent Goodwood Cup, which was won by new kid on the staying block Kyprios.

Stradivarius, now the mount of Andrea Atzeni after he replaced Frankie Dettori on Bjorn Nielsen's popular star, is the marginal favourite from Trueshan, who needs easier ground to take his chance, although some rain may fall on Thursday night.

Alan King, who trains Trueshan, said on Wednesday: "He won't run unless it rains on Thursday night into Friday – it's as simple as that.

"The ground would need to be on the slow side and he certainly wouldn't run on what I've declared him on today [good, good to firm in places].

"If he doesn't run I might give him a break and wait for the Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend in October, but we'll see. He'll go up to York anyway on Thursday."

Nunthorpe confirmed runners and riders

Acklam Express Rowan Scott
Ainsdale Connor Beasley
Clarendon House Ray Dawson
Dragon Symbol David Egan
Emaraaty Ana Kevin Stott
Khaadem Ryan Moore
Lazuli William Buick
Raasel Tom Marquand
Ebro River Jamie Spencer
New York City Wayne Lordan
Highfield Princess Jason Hart
Winter Power David Allan
Flotus Silvestre de Sousa
Royal Aclaim Andrea Atzeni
The Platinum Queen Hollie Doyle

Lonsdale Cup confirmed runners and riders

Coltrane Rob Hornby
Nate The Great William Buick
Quickthorn Tom Marquand
Reshoun Jim Crowley
Stradivarius Andrea Atzeni
Tashkhan Ben Robinson
Trueshan Hollie Doyle
Mostly Cloudy Connor Beasley

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