Mecca’s Angel lights up grey day at York with fine Nunthorpe win

Twelve months ago there were tears, this year there was nothing but pure triumphalism.

A grey horse from Darlington brought enlightenment to a grey day at York as Mecca’s Angel won the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes for a second consecutive season.

Whereas jockey Paul Mulrennan was an emotional wreck when the partnership struck a year ago, this victory felt more businesslike as the Michael Dods-trained five-year-old brilliantly achieved the rarest of sprint doubles.

“Words can’t explain how I feel at the moment,” said her proud handler.

“I’m delighted for the whole team and it’s also great for the north.”

There were no dramas throughout the race — Mecca’s Angel had her rivals cooked a long way out — but perhaps Dods’ greatest cause for angst was beforehand.

The ground was fast ahead of day three of the Ebor Festival, but heavy afternoon rain in the build-up helped to sooth her trainer’s concerns that the Knavesmire would be too unforgiving.

It did, however, take a sartorial setback before Dods gave the nod for Mecca’s Angel to attempt to banish bruising memories of a no-show in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He said: “I walked the track twice — I ruined my suit doing so — but the second time I was happy with the ground.

“I had a sleepless night worrying about the ground, but it was perfect for her.”

The Nunthorpe can often throw up the odd bizarre result, but this season’s renewal felt genuinely strong as the July Cup winner Limato, having his first start over five furlongs, finished two lengths behind the 9-2 winner.

With trademark sportsmanship, the runner-up's trainer Henry Candy was one of the first to congratulate Dods, who is now toying with the idea of stepping Mecca's Angel back up to six furlongs before she retires to make babies at the end of the campaign.

Dods added: “Limato is a very good horse, but she put the race to bed a long way from home.

“Ascot was a big blip — she was in season and didn’t have her conditions — so I’m delighted she showed just what a good horse she is.

“She won’t race next year — she’ll be sold to stud — but I’d be keen to try her over six (furlongs) before she retires.

“There’s the sprint at Ascot on Champions Day and there’s also the Abbaye on Arc weekend. There’s a possibility she could run in both.”

The gelded Limato, conversely, will hopefully be around for a long time to come, though he might not run in Britain this autumn before jetting off to America for the Breeders’ Cup meeting in November.

Candy said: “I’m delighted with that run. It was a fantastic effort behind a true five-furlong specialist.

“Our only hope of beating her, I think, was if the ground stayed quick, but the rain arrived just at the wrong time.

“In any case, it was still a very quick time and I think he’s run as well as at Newmarket (July Cup). It was worth a crack and it was good fun.

“I think the ground will have gone by Ascot, Chantilly (Prix de la Foret) could be an option, but it would be no surprise if he doesn’t run again until the Breeders’ Cup.

“He’d go for the Sprint on turf. I’m still convinced he gets a mile, which is hard to believe after that.”

David Griffiths, meanwhile, will look at the Curragh's Flying Five Stakes for third home Take Cover.