'If he loses it's my fault' - Ward bullish Golden Pal can blaze in Nunthorpe

Friday: 3.35 York
Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) | 5f | 2yo+ | ITV/RTV

Wesley Ward said Golden Pal could be the best horse he has trained in the build-up to the Ebor meeting and the American trainer's confidence has not waned as he bids to crack the Nunthorpe at last.

Ward, who has landed the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes among multiple top-flight victories on both sides of the Atlantic, has unfinished business with the Group 1 sprint after going so close with Lady Aurelia in 2017 that Frankie Dettori celebrated thinking he'd won before Marsha was confirmed the winner by a nose.

Acapulco had also filled the runner-up spot behind Mecca's Angel two years earlier and now Ward returns with another lightning-quick sprinter in Golden Pal, who has won all three US starts since just failing to make all in last year's Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Golden Pal: victorious in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf SprintCredit: Bobby Ellis / Getty Images

Last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner, who was acquired by Nunthorpe sponsors Coolmore before making a sparkling return with a three-length victory in last month's Grade 3 Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga, will be partnered for the first time by Dettori. He has won the Nunthorpe three times but not since 1998.

Ward said: "He seems to have settled in great. It's a very fast track and we've got a great jockey, so if he loses it's my fault. I think everything is in his favour.

"You're always worried about something with these horses, especially when they're as fast as him, but he's extremely fit and sound, and hopefully it all comes together."

Suesa ready to dazzle again after Goodwood

Suesa steps back up to the top level after bursting on to the sprinting scene with a sensational victory in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood.

Not only did she beat the now retired Battaash in his own backyard, the Francois Rohaut-trained filly put three lengths back to runner-up Dragon Symbol on her first try at the minimum trip.

Suesa: showed blistering speed on her first try over five furlongs at GoodwoodCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Prior to that, Suesa suffered her sole defeat in six starts when finishing down the field on heavy ground in the Commonwealth Cup, a race in which Dragon Symbol was first past the post before losing it to Ward's Campanelle in the stewards' room.

Suesa and Dragon Symbol are joined by fellow three-year-olds Golden Pal and Winter Power in dominating the Nunthorpe betting – it's 20-1 bar the four at the time of writing – but they are drawn on opposite sides of the track.

"It's a Group 1, so the competition is better than at Goodwood and we're drawn in 14 with Golden Pal in stall one," said Rohaut. "She arrived on Wednesday evening having travelled by road and everything's gone fine. She takes her travelling well.

"I've just kept her ticking over to try to keep her fresh with only three weeks between runs and all the travelling. We've been careful not to do too much with her and she seems well."

What the rest say

Robert Cowell, trainer of Arecibo
It's a hard race with lots of very good horses and it'll be interesting to see how it pans out. He's drawn away from some of the best horses, but there's going to be a proper pace and the faster they go, the better for him. He's a lively outsider and I'm excited to run him.

Michael Dods, trainer of Dakota Gold and Que Amoro
Que Amoro ran a hell of a race when second last year, but she's a bit temperamental and things haven't really worked out for her so far this year. Hamilton wasn't the right track for her, and before that we rode her wrong at York and she went a bit fast at Ascot, but she's in good form and she likes York. The ground isn't ideal for Dakota Gold, but so long as it's safe I think he'll run. He might have grabbed a place if it had been heavy, but on good ground they’ll probably be too speedy for him.

Que Amoro: second in last year's NunthorpeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Adam Ryan, assistant to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Emaraaty Ana
He was impressive at Hamilton last time and has been running well in Group races this year. It was good to get his head back in front and that should be a confidence boost for him. It's a big step up but it looks like there's going to be a lot of pace and, with the way he travelled last time, he could outrun his odds.

Les Eyre, trainer of Bedford Flyer
He's one of the best horses I've ever had. He looks a million dollars and he's in the form of his life, but he's in one of the best races in the world. He's won over the course and distance and is entitled to be there.

Archie Watson, trainer of Dragon Symbol
We've met Suesa twice and we beat her comprehensively at Ascot before she beat us at Goodwood, where I didn't think things went our way. Dragon Symbol is versatile with regards to the ground. It was heavy at Ascot and softish at Goodwood, but it was quick ground when he chased home Starman in the July Cup, so it won't be a problem if it dries out.

Rohaan: stepping back in trip to five furlongsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
We're having a go and he'll get the fast pace he wants, but he's run a bit too free on his last two starts at Newmarket and Deauville. He was a bit disappointing in France last time and maybe he didn't last home on the ground.

Alastair Donald, racing manager for King Power Racing, owners of Chil Chil and Winter Power
This has been the aim all year for Winter Power and we know she loves the track, trip and ground. We expect they'll go very quick but she's very quick too and we're very much looking forward to it. Chil Chil has been working the house down at home and is drawn ideally behind the speed. We expect her to go well at an each-way price for Ryan Moore.

John Quinn, trainer of Liberty Beach
We held on to her at Goodwood last time, which didn't suit, and she was involved in scrimmaging and ended up being the meat in the sandwich. She's been running well again this season and she was second in the Lowther as a two-year-old on her only run at York. She's in very good form and I'm expecting a big run from her.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Chipotle
He goes there with a good shout. As long as the ground stays quick, he'll run his race and we're very hopeful we'll be in the first half-dozen. He had terrible traffic problems at Newbury and then at Goodwood the ground was soft and I shouldn't have run him. The first-time cheekpieces are just to help him travel early on as with older horses I think you need to be in touch.

Friday's race previews:

1.50 York: can the Classic generation strike a blow in handicap dominated by older horses?

2.25 York: is Stradivarius as good as he was? Graeme Rodway with the definitive verdict

3.00 York: 'The target since he was bought' – insight and trainer quotes for the Gimcrack

3.35 York: no Battaash now but punters can still look forward to an exciting Nunthorpe (Members' Club)

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