Turf Talk: Mulrennan puts faith in Mecca's Angel for Nunthorpe

BOROUGHBRIDGE-based jockey Paul Mulrennan hopes his faith in last year's hero Mecca's Angel is justified in tomorrow's Group One Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York Racecourse.
Mecca's Angel ridden by Paul Mulrennan.Mecca's Angel ridden by Paul Mulrennan.
Mecca's Angel ridden by Paul Mulrennan.

In Mulrennan’s eyes, the Clive Cox-trained Profitable is the one to beat.

Mulrennan bagged his first Group One on the Michael Dods-trained sprinter in the same race last year and the Yorkshire-based jockey has kept his faith in the five-year-old for tomorrow’s feature on the Knavesmire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 34-year-old also had the option to partner Easton Angel – who will instead be partnered by a rather high-profile super-sub’ in Frankie Dettori – and Mulrennan is hoping he has made the correct call.

“It was a very, very close call indeed and one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” the jockey told the YEP.

“Clearly the ground is not ideal for Mecca’s, and it will suit Easton, but I had to go with the horse who beat such a top-class field last time.

“It looks like being a brilliant race with Limato, Yalta and Goldream in the line-up, although Profitable would be the one I really fear.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s beaten us twice this season and is coming back to five furlongs, plus there could be more improvement in him.

“That said, I wouldn’t swap last year’s winner for any horse in the race.”

The Henry Candy-trained Limato is the general 10-3 favourite for the race, ahead of Profitable at 5s.

Mecca’s Angel is next in the pecking order at 7s.

l Paul Murennan is sponsored by Racing UK, which is offering its best-ever discount on the channel.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From 8am to 9pm tomorrow only, you can join the leading horseracing channel for the next 12 months at just £10 a month (normally £24.98 a month).

Please visit racinguk.com/besteveroffer from 8am to 9pm only tomorrow.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

YORK: 1.50 Stars Over The Sea, 2.30 Pallasator (treble), 3.05 FORGE (NAP), 3.40 Profitable (next best), 4.20 Rivet, 4.55 Viscount Barfield.

SANDOWN: 2.20 Just Maybe, 2.55 Babyfact, 3.30 Calibration, 4.05 Daily Bulletin, 4.40 Carenot, 5.15 Blind Faith.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

BANGOR: 2.10 The Character, 2.45 Thyne For Gold, 3.20 Up And Go, 3.55 The Backup Plan, 4.30 Trafalgar Rock, 5.05 Civil Unrest.

SALISBURY: 5.30 Cosmic Storm, 6.05 Shabeeh, 6.35 Star Maker, 7.05 Cunco, 7.35 Zaakhir, 8.05 Ivanhoe.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 6.20 Rosie Crowe, 6.50 Virile, 7.20 Miss Salt, 7.50 Machine Learner, 8.20 Hangman Jury, 8.50 Toboggan’s Fire, 9.20 Gold Return.

Related topics: