Weather and not the trip worrying for Mayson for Nunthorpe

Mayson remains 10/1 to win the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, but the anticipated quick ground will certainly not play to his strengths.

York’s clerk of the course William Derby has been watering the course marginally in the past week, but the avoidance of any showers means that conditions have been officially described as good to firm.

There is the possibility of rain later in the week later at York, but whether it will arrive quickly enough to change ground conditions ahead of the Nunthorpe on Friday seems unlikely.

Of Mayson’s last five runs, he has triumphed on three occasions, with his sole bad performance coming in the only instance he which he has encountered ground faster than good to soft.

This was when he finished 53 lengths behind the winner, last of a field of 13 at York in May.

As well as the ground, six of Mayson’s last seven runs have been over the slightly extended distance of 6f, with the Nunthorpe more of a speed test at 5f.

Trainer Richard Fahey is not overly concerned about the trip given that Mayson did win his latest start over 5f, but is still mulling over whether the fast ground will prevent his horse performing to his best.

Fahey wrote in the Sporting Life: “I’m not scared to drop him back to five furlongs but if it’s quick ground it could just be on the sharp side for him.

“We’ll monitor the weather but at the moment it looks like it’s going to be a dry week.”

If Mayson does run and wins the Nunthorpe, he will be the first horse since Oasis Dream in 2003 to take the Group One sprint at York and the July Cup over 6f at Newmarket in the same season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.