Last week's G3 Molecomb S. scorer Yalta (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is likely to be supplemented for the G1 Nunthorpe S. Aug. 19, trainer Mark Johnston told At The Races. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum's juvenile would receive a significant weight break against his elders in that five furlong test.
Yalta broke his maiden at Pontefract May 27 before finishing a well-beaten eighth in both the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot and the G2 July S., both over six furlongs, and Johnston told At The Races the Molecomb proved five furlongs is the chestnut's preferred distance.
“It was a blistering performance. I was quite shocked,” he said. “I was amazed how much early speed he had down the hill. Clearly five [furlongs] is his trip.”
“I think the [G2] Gimcrack S. [Aug. 20] will probably be overlooked and ground dependent and well-being dependent, he'll probably be supplemented for the Nunthorpe,” Johnston added. “Two-year-olds have got a good record in the race and he's a big, strong horse and was an early foal, so he's perhaps the ideal type for it.”
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