One Cool Cat cut for Nunthorpe
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was yesterday slashed to 9-2 from 8-1 by Coral for the Group One sprint at York on Thursday week, just half a point behind the 4-1 ante-post market leader The Tatling.
One Cool Cat has had a heart problem this season, but returned to form in the Phoenix Sprint after being an expensive failure in his two previous starts, including the 2000 Guineas.
“It seems punters are willing to forgive this colt his earlier defeats and are backing him for the Nunthorpe as if he really is the wonder horse connections have been saying he is,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes, Coral bet: 4-1 The Tatling, 9-2 One Cool Cat, 6-1 Airwave, Patavellian, 7-1 Boogie Street, 9-1 Balmont, Majestic Missile, 12-1 Antonius Pius, Avonbridge, 14-1 The Trader, 16-1 bar.
Meanwhile Godolphin’s Doyen, winner of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, is 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Bailey’s Irish Champion Stakes.
Irish Derby hero Grey Swallow and St James’ Palace Stakes victor Azamour are both 4-1 for the Group One race over a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown on Saturday, September 11.
Bailey’s Irish Champion Stakes, Paddy Power bet: 6-4 Doyen, 4-1 Azamour, Grey Swallow, 7-1 Bago, 10-1 North Light, Rakti, 12-1 Warrsan, 14-1 Tycoon, 16-1 Kalaman, 20-1 Ikhtyar, 25-1 Yesterday, 33-1 Solskjaer.
Promotion has suffered a setback and will miss the totesport Ebor at York on Wednesday week.
The four-year-old had been as low as 10-1 with Coral for the one-mile-six-furlong race after finishing a head second to Arcalis in the John Smith’s Cup at the Yorkshire track last time.
“He’s had a setback so he won’t be making the race,” said Queen Elizabeth's racing advisor John Warren yesterday. “He might be out for the season but we are playing it a bit by ear. It’s early stages.”
The news of Promotion’s absence from the £200,000 handicap had been revealed by trainer Sir Michael Stoute. He said: “I would like to inform the public that Promotion will not be contesting the Ebor Handicap.”
All the major firms have the Luca Cumani-trained Mephisto as favourite.
Ebor - Ladbrokes: 5-1 Mephisto, 6-1 Jagger, 12-1 Defining, Alkaased, 14-1 No Refuge, Star Member, 16-1 Sergeant Cecil, Anak Pekan, Dorothy’s Friend, Fall In Line, Lochbuie, Loves Travelling, Mikado, Prins Willem, 20-1 bar.
