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Marsha denies Lady Aurelia in Nunthorpe Stakes

Marsha (second left) narrowly wins the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
Image: Marsha (second left) narrowly wins the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes

Marsha snatched the Group One honours as she claimed the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Hot favourite Lady Aurelia was in front just strides from the line, but Luke Morris delivered Sir Mark Prescott's filly, who was sent off at 8-1, to grab it in a photo on the line, despite Frankie Dettori clearly thinking he had prevailed on the American ace.

Battaash, who had been expected to be Lady Aurelia's main challenger, had every chance after proving difficult to load but finished out of the frame, with his stablemate Cotai Glory claiming third.

Lady Aurelia was prominent throughout, ploughing a slightly lone furrow down the middle of the track as Battaash went with the pacesetting Final Venture on the stands side.

Battaash was still in there pitching two furlongs out, but Jim Crowley was noticeably at work as Dettori allowed Lady Aurelia to stride on and his challenge dropped away.

However, Marsha, who is owned by the Elite Racing Club, was flying at the death, although Morris admitted he was not sure she had got there.

He said: "I wasn't sure and when I saw Frankie put his arm up, I was gutted as I thought he had won, then someone said congratulations to me and it turned into jubilation.

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"Her performance in the Palace House was exceptional, but she's been a bit below par since. Going down today, though, she felt more on her mettle and more alive.

"Sir Mark is a genius. I have been with him five years now and we've had some great days .

"It's fantastic for the owners. It's great for the man in the street to be involved with a horse like this."

Wes Ward was proud of Lady Aurelia in defeat, and full of praise for the winner.

He said: "She's a true champion, these things happen. She ran a brilliant race and the other filly ran us down.

"I think we got beat fair and square. She's run a fantastic race and I'm very proud of her."

Prescott was not present, but Elite Racing Club manager Dan Downie said: "That was amazing. Coming here we were happy she was as well as we'd ever had her. She'd never looked better.

"I didn't know if we'd won, but it's a funny camera angle here

"It's fantastic for the club and she's a home-bred, too.

"She'll go for the Prix de l'Abbaye again."

A crestfallen Dettori said: "I'm in shock, I thought I'd won a neck."

Like Dettori, Ward admitted he briefly thought the prize was theirs.

He added: "It happens, I'm not going to make excuses. She's run a fantastic race and there were no issues

"She broke out of the stalls a little sideways, but soon got going again. She's done everything well, but take nothing away from the winner.

"We were just beaten by the hair on my chinny chin chin.

"I thought we'd won simply because Frankie did, but that's racing. I have been second in this race twice now and it's tough to take.

"Hopefully I will be back another day and we will look towards the Breeders' Cup now."

Charlie Hills felt Battaash had possibly paid for his pre-race antics.

He said: "Battaash got caught saddling up and became agitated after that.

"Cotai Glory has run a big race and was fourth in it last year. There's talk he could go to New Zealand and stand at stud."

Prescott was in Ireland on a two-day trip looking at yearlings.

His assistant William Butler said: "Lady Aurelia beat us at Ascot and was unbeatable on the day, but it's a five-furlong race and there is always a chance every time you turn up. Our filly has not missed a beat all year.

"Last year she got better with racing through the year. You are always confident. We were very pleased coming into the race. She had done everything right at home and you don't have to do much with her because she has been racing very regularly.

"She was bouncing coming in and thank goodness it paid off.

"When she ran in Ireland we were there to be shot at. She was under the radar here and she was sent off favourite for the King's Stand.

"I got out of bed this morning thinking we could do it.

"Sir Mark is in Ireland. He had already booked to go there to see yearlings. Rather than change plans he stuck with it."

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