Trainer Michael Dods has said his team are extremely confident stable star Mabs Cross will be hard to overcome in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at the Ebor Festival at York (Mabs Cross 5/1 to win).
The five-year-old was inches away from winning the race in 2018, only to be beaten in a photo finish by Alpha Delphini. Dods then watched his charge win at ParisLongchamp before her campaign came to an end
Mabs Cross started the new season with a win at Newmarket before finishing third at Haydock in May.
The bay mare was third in the King’s Stand at Ascot on June 18 and Dods believes she has the ability to overcome Battaash and Ten Sovereigns.
He told the Racing Post: “She seems every bit as good this year as she did going into the race last season. She’s a bit stronger now and she looks great.
“The pace of the race at Ascot didn’t suit her, she needs to be off the bridle. I thought she was travelling superbly, but she didn’t pick up. There should be plenty of pace at York, so we’re hoping she can run a big race.
“It looks a competitive race, as you would expect, with Battaash in great form, but I don’t think Battaash turned up last year. Hopefully there will be some nice ground and she can run another big race.
“She’s in good form and we’re looking forward to taking her back to York.”
Battaash remains the 9/4 favourite for the race on August 23, while Ten Sovereigns is also well fancied at odds of 3/1.
Whenever you bet on Racing, Betfred
