Starlust: A 33/1 Outsider

Kevin Blake, the Sky Sports Racing analyst, has put his money on the five-year-old Ralph Beckett-trained Starlust for the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at 3:35 on Friday, 21 August 2026. The jockey-less favourite carries odds of 33/1.

Starlust’s résumé includes a strong performance two years ago as a five-furlong runner, finishing a close third to Bradsell in a race of the same name. He also ran in the Prix de l'Abbaye, where he held every chance but did not finish, and he claimed his biggest win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. After a solid fourth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, Starlust was retired to stud in Australia where he covered about 70 mares. The connections were dissatisfied with his fertility rate and decided to return him to training with Ralph Beckett.

He returned to racing with a first-time visor in a Listed race over the same course and distance at Carlisle, showing more improvement than in the King Charles III Stakes. Starlust has shown a particular liking for York, especially when the ground was easy, making this day a potential chance to revive his Group 1 campaign at a high price.

Other Day Three Picks

The EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at 4:45 is one of the most valuable maidens on the calendar, attracting a strong field. A newcomer or unexposed runner will need to be very good to beat Aidan O'Brien-trained OKLAHOMA. OKLAHOMA, a son of Wootton Bassett out of Hydrangea, made a promising debut, finishing second to Giant Sequoia. He was sent off at a very short price for a second-time lucky in a maiden at Killarney but finished third. The addition of cheekpieces and a larger track should aid him, and he is expected to be tough to beat in the strong company.

The day’s main event, the Nunthorpe Stakes, has seen a carnage of big-priced winners in recent years, and the rain arriving before the race increases the chance of an upset. Kevin Blake’s 33/1 pick for Starlust is his most captivating outsider for the day.

The race will be run at 3:35 on Friday, 21 August 2026, at the Knavesmire.