ALPHA DELPHINI CLAIMS A NUNTHORPE THRILLER

The Nunthorpe Stakes, Gr.1 seems to getting more thrilling each year. While the finish was close last year, this year went one step further for it took a couple of minutes to decide the winner of the race, as 7yo gelding Alpha Delphini (Captain Gerrard) and Mabs Cross (Dutch Art) were locked together as they passed the line. There were tense moments as the decision was being pondered over the photo finish, with the former being declared the eventual winner. The favourite Battaash (Dark Angel) got to the front over a furlong out but was soon headed by the duo and it was all over when they took over. Blue Point (Shamardal), the winner of the King’s Stand Stakes, Gr.1 got his ahead in front of Battaash to claim third.

He is the first Gr.1 winner for his sire, Mickley Stud’s Oasis Dream stallion Captain Gerrard, but not the first for his dam, Easy To Imagine (Cozzene), who has also produced the 2011 Gr.1 Prix de l’Abbaye victor Tangerine Trees (Mind Games). His trainer said: “That was the longest five minutes of my life! I had a tenner each-way this morning at 80/1 because I thought that was an insulting price. I knew I had him the best he’d ever been. I’d trained him for this race as it was one I’d always wanted to win. My wife treats this horse like a king at home. He has back problems and gets treated like he owns the place. I’ve had a lot of his family; his half-brother Tangerine Trees got better with age and it looks like he is too.”