Nunthorpe ‘worth a shot’ with Oxted

Teal tempted by York target for his July Cup hero.

Roger Teal has admitted to being tempted by a tilt at next month’s Nunthorpe at York with his July Cup hero Oxted.

Having won the Abernant Stakes in early June, Teal elected to sidestep Royal Ascot in favour of waiting for Saturday’s Group One feature on the July Course – and it proved an excellent decision, with Oxted powering clear of his rivals in the hands of Cieren Fallon.

In the immediate aftermath, the Lambourn-based trainer mentioned the Sprint Cup at Haydock and the Prix Maurice de Gheest in France as potential targets – but on Sunday morning the Nunthorpe entered the equation, with Teal confident a drop from six to five furlongs would not inconvenience his stable star.

Speaking on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme, the trainer said: “Oxted is grand (this morning) – absolutely fine. He’s been out for a pick of grass and seems great, so we’re very happy.

“The pace he showed yesterday – he travelled so strong – you could possibly have a punt at the Nunthorpe, I think. He is a strong galloper and has that cruising speed that takes him into the race.

“I guess it would be worth a shot, maybe, but I have to speak to the owners. We’ll get our heads together and see what happens.”

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