American raider Bacio heads strong field for Nunthorpe

American speedball Bacio looks likely to head the market in the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes after 18 entries stood their ground for the Group One sprint at York on Friday.

Wesley Ward’s trailblazing three-year-old has been a warm order for the Knavesmire showpiece since bolting up in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June off a mark of 100.

The chestnut colt, beaten only once in a five-start career, steps into the highest class against proven Group One performers.

Australian ace Asfoora, French raider Rayevka, Scottish star American Affair, Ballydoyle’s Mission Central and Japanese sprinter Satono Reve look the pick of a strong field to add to the international flavour of the contest.

As expected Richard Hannon’s Goodwood scorer Pershaada stands her ground to fly the flag for the two-year-old division, getting up to 27lb from the field as she bids to repeat the win of the ‘Pocket Rocket’ Lyric Fantasy who won the race for Hannon’s father in 1992.

A dozen horses will go to post in the Group Two Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes over six furlongs with Arapaho Gold, Adaay Of Scarlett and Mrair looking to fend off the threat of Ballydoyle two-year-old Marco Polo.

Agamemnon, Final Objective and Mussab also look strong contenders.

Nine will line up for the Group Two Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup over two miles with Caballo De Mar looking to bounce back from his Royal Ascot disappointment.

Ralph Beckett’s Amiloc, who unseated shortly after the start in the Goodwood Cup last time, will be hoping for safer passage while Al Nayyir, Carmers and Mount Atlas bring a decent level of form to the contest.

Illinois runs for Aidan O’Brien after King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes fourth Lambourn was taken out, while jumps supremo Willie Mullins will be represented by Columbus.