Magnificent Marsha lands the Nunthorpe

2017 has been a frustrating summer for the service with so many selections finishing second and narrowly getting beaten, but it was nice to see Marsha land the Nunthorpe for us at York on Friday. 

Members were advised to back her at 10/1 to 8/1 and were told:

"The clash between Battaash and Lady Aurelia has been one of the talking points in the lead up to the Ebor meeting. 

Both have been supremely impressive of late, but, when all is said and done, do you really want to take a price around 7/4 for either of them when there is little option to take out economical insurance to guard against a near miss at the hands of the other? I don't, as there are also other proven Group 1 performers in the race to consider as well. 

The key horse to this whole race - despite what the pundits and the betting says - is 33/1 shot Take Cover. He has lots of early speed and if he were to match strides with Lady Aurelia then he could potentially bustle her up and set this up for a closer.

The pair clashed, on paper at least, in the King's Stand, and Take Cover actually showed the superior trap craft to slip into the early lead, but the key thing to note about that race was that there were effectively two races for the price of one; Take Cover headed those racing towards the far side of the track, while Lady Aurelia pretty much did her own thing and controlled matters towards the stands rail - without eyeballing Take Cover and being hindered by him - which may have been the case if they'd raced in one central group. 

I would be interested to see them eyeball to eyeball today as the field size is smaller and there is a greater chance they'll all race in one cluster - lets see if Lady Aurelia can confirm what she showed at Ascot and become a true great. 

There is a danger, though, her finishing effort might just be muted if she is taken out of her comfort zone (if Take Cover isn't outclassed and can get near her). 

A potential pace duel would obviously suit the tactically versatile Battaash, who announced himself on the big stage when winning at Goodwood. He tanked his way through that race, taking a lead off Take Cover, and beat a solid yardstick, Profitable, who looks a big each-way price himself today at 16/1, but having watched the replay back countless times I have concluded that although Profitable was perhaps beaten fair and square, MARSHA can have her effort upgraded somewhat for finishing third. 

She isn't always going to be fun to watch when Luke Morris is trusted with the reins - he's one of the most unsightly riders in the weighing room - but she was undeniably hampered last time in an incident that started when Profitable tried to make some ground upsides Take Cover but was shuffled back. Marsha was caught up in the melee and had to be switched for a run. 

She made some nice late progress though and deserves another chance, especially since this drying ground will also be in her favour. 

Those with the service earlier in the year will remember we had a very good bet on her - a MAX bet infact - for the King's Stand, and I am still of the opinion she's good enough to win a Group 1 in Britain. 

Let's not forget her impressive win in the l'Abbaye at Chantilly last season or her notable Palace House victory this year - when she gave weight away and still got the job done first time out. 

A secondary bet on Profitable, who is disgustingly big at 16/1, is also recommended. He is tied in with the two market leaders as well as Marsha, so we cannot overlook him, even if he did seem to be beaten fair and square by Battaash last time. He's a class horse and won't mind any bits of juice lingering in the ground."