Ten Sovereigns and Battaash primed for Nunthorpe showdown at York

Racegoers are set to be treated to a clash of the titans at York after electric sprinters Battaash and Ten Sovereigns were among 13 confirmations for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.

After failing to deliver as favourite for the 2,000 Guineas and then at Royal Ascot in the Commonwealth Cup, Ten Sovereigns then blew away his rivals in the July Cup with a decisive win.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained three-year-old was on Saturday the clear 6-4 favourite for the Group 1, which will be his first attempt at five furlongs. Battaash, who was last seen landing the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, is a general 2-1 shot for a race in which he has disappointed in the last two seasons.

Battaash (Jim Crowley) beats the former Australian-trained Group winner Houtzen readily for a third successive win in the King George Qatar Stakes at GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Last year's narrow runner-up Mabs Cross bids to go one better and could be joined by Flying Childers winner Soldier's Call for Archie Watson.

There were a few notable absentees at the confirmation stage, including progressive juvenile A'Ali and Chipchase Stakes winner Invincible Army.

Goodwood Cup rematch

Stradivarius will bid to extend his unbeaten run to nine and land back-to-back Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers' Million bonuses when facing a maximum of nine rivals in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup on Friday.

The five-year-old will face a maximum of nine rivals, including the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee, who got within a neck of the son of Sea The Stars in the Goodwood Cup last month.

Stradivarius finishing clear of Dee Ex Bee in the Goodwood CupCredit: Getty Images

Aidan O'Brien last won this race with Septimus in 2007 and has made four entries this year, including Southern France, who won the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh on Friday.

Monarch Of Egypt bids for Group 2 glory

Unbeaten juvenile Siskin has been a thorn in Monarch Of Egypt's side on his last two starts, most recently when finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of him in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.

A trip to York could now beckon for Monarch Of Egypt as he is among 20 confirmations for the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes.

He could be joined by stablemates Royal Lytham and Mount Fuji, third and fourth in the Phoenix Stakes, Pistoletto and King Neptune.

Among the possible British challengers are the Richard Hannon-trained pair of Threat and Repartee, with Repartee an impressive course and distance winner for trainer Kevin Ryan in May.

Tate juveniles set for Lowther clash

James Tate will be double-handed in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes on Thursday after supplementing impressive Princess Margaret Stakes winner Under The Stars.

Connections of the Saeed Manana-owned filly paid £15,000 to add their unbeaten juvenile to the Group 2 line-up, which also includes stable companion Nasaiym.

"We supplemented her for the Lowther as this was the logical next step after Ascot,” the trainer said.

“She doesn’t overdo herself at home, so we didn’t know how much she had in hand before the Princess Margaret. It was nice to see the improvement she made there and she seems to have come on again. Hopefully she can repeat that form, or even build on it.”

Under The Stars and PJ McDonald winning the Princess Margaret StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nasaiym is also on an upward curve of her own having beaten a subsequent winner when breaking her maiden at Newbury and Tate has reason to be believe she is capable of further progress.

“She won nicely enough at Newbury, but I thought she won in spite of the soft ground and she did it on class," the trainer added. "This is obviously a big step up, but my gut tells me she could take a significant step forward on better ground.”

A total of 16 fillies remain engaged in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes, while the card also includes the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

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