Big Evs supplemented for Nunthorpe with Atzeni booked to ride
Mick Appleby revealed this morning that two-year-old speedster, Big Evs, has been supplemented for the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday – and Andrea Atzeni will take the ride.
The son of Blue Point has been ridden in all three of his career races by Jason Hart, but the jockey will be aboard 2022 Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes heroine, Highfield Princess, as they again seek to land the prestigious five-furlong sprint. Therefore, connections have called on the expertise of Italian rider, Andrea Atzeni.
Big Evs burst onto the scene with a stunning three-length victory at odds of 20/1 in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He stepped up successfully from Listed to Group 3 company with a battling success on soft ground in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood.
Now he is being primed for a shot at a top-tier triumph with Paul and Rachael Teasdale, who own horses under the RP Racing Ltd title, opting to pay the £40,000 supplementary fee.
Connections are hoping the son of Blue Point can become the first juvenile since Kingsgate Native in 2007 to land the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.
As a two-year-old in the race, he will race off 8st 3lb, receiving a whopping 22lb from King’s Stand star Bradsell and 21lb from Highfield Princess. Male horses aged four and upwards will be giving Big Evs some 24lb.
Leicestershire-based Appleby said: “He’s in good order. He did a good piece of work this morning (SATURDAY) and he’ll probably have one more piece of work on Wednesday. I’m delighted with him.
“It’s a long time since a two-year-old has won the Nunthorpe. So, yes, it’s a big ask for him, but hopefully he’s going there with a very good chance at the weights. Jason doesn’t ride as he is on Highfield Princess. Andrea Atzeni rides.”
Appleby will be pleased to see a more settled weather picture for the coming days.
Asked about Big Evs’ favoured underfoot conditions, the trainer replied: “Good, good to firm. We got away with him there, Goodwood. It wasn’t his ideal ground.”
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