Bradsell and Hollie Doyle: Nunthorpe winners Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
‘He’s the comeback kid’ – Bradsell and Hollie Doyle hold on to deny fast finishers and land the Nunthorpe at York
Result
12 ran
15:35 York
Flat Turf, Group 1
Distance: 5f
1st 1 Bradsell 3/1
2nd 11 Believing 7/1
3rd 8 Starlust 12/1
tote returns
Win: £4.00
Place: £1.60, £2.25, £3.80
Exacta: £34.20
CSF: £24.44
Trifecta: £279.60
Peter Scargill (Racing Post)
Hollie Doyle labelled Bradsell “the comeback kid” after he overcame a second significant injury to win the Group 1 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday.
Bradsell was sidelined as a two-year-old having won at Royal Ascot and came back to win last year’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. He was then sidelined again at the end of last season, only returning at the start of the month when winning a Listed race at Deauville.
Doyle said: “Wow, he’s unbelievable. He’s the comeback kid and all credit to Archie [Watson] and the team at home as they’ve done an unbelievable job with him.
“I remember getting that phone call that night when he got injured and he said it could be career-ending, which you never want to hear, but here we are.
“Never underestimate what Archie does with his horses, he always seems to prove me wrong. We’ve had some great days and this is another one. This means everything to me. This is what I do it for, days like this.”
Bradsell had been well supported throughout Friday morning and was sent off the 3-1 second favourite behind Asfoora. The four-year-old, who races in the colours of Bahraini royal Sheikh Nasser Al Khalifa, travelled notably well on the far side of the course and moved ominously to the front with two furlongs to go.
“It’s pretty incredible to be honest, a lot of hard work’s gone into this horse,” Watson said. “He suffered a fracture in early February and had surgery on a cannon bone, so his comeback was less than six months later. It’s been unreal. He’s an incredibly special horse, you know.”
Believing, Starlust and Asfoora made late challenges, but the race was over as a contest as Bradsell was ridden out to take the victory.
Believing’s trainer, George Boughey, indicated that she would head for the Group 1 Flying Five at the Curragh at the Irish Champions Festival. She could meet Asfoora there, with Henry Dwyer suggesting the filly could head to Ireland if remaining in Europe.
Tom Marquand, who partnered Big Evs, said the King George Stakes winner had given him a good feel throughout the race but had been significantly disadvantaged by his high draw.
