Making a Point in York’s mouth-watering speed battle

Godolphin’s accomplished Blue Point is primed and ready for another clash with headline-making speedster Battaash in Friday’s G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, UK.

Blue Point was brilliant when he defeated rival Battaash by a length and threequarters in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

But the Shamardal colt was then well beaten into seventh in Newmarket’s G1 Darley July Cup, while Battaash went on to register a fine win in Goodwood’s G2 King George Stakes, displaying dazzling speed over five furlongs.

Trainer Charlie Appleby is delighted Blue Point (stall 16) has drawn close to Battaash (14) for what could develop into another memorable speed battle.

“In these top sprints, you need to be near the pace, and we know Battaash is the pace angle,” Appleby said.

“I’m happy with the draw. A bit of rain won’t do any harm, and as long as it’s a sound surface come Friday, we’ve got to have a live chance,” he added.

As for Blue Point’s defeat in the July Cup, Appleby said he had analysed the race from several different angles.

“You can’t say that the step up in trip (to 6 furlongs) was a negative, but the track and unfortunately the way the race was run were perhaps against him,” he pointed out.

“He was a bit too free and saw a bit too much daylight there. He ran the reverse way around — that is, he did too much racing early on. I feel that the track and the trip are going to suit him in the Nunthorpe,” he added.

Battaash finished fourth in last year’s Nunthorpe after becoming worked up beforehand. He then returned to winning ways in the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Chantilly.

A total of 16 have been declared for this year’s renewal of the Nunthorpe.