Hills confident of reverse Barry Hills is "confident" Equiano can gain revenge on Starspangledbanner in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month. His King's Stand Stakes hero was touched off by Aidan O'Brien's Australian import in the Darley July Cup last week but the Lambourn handler feels the switch back to five furlongs at the Knavesmire will enable his charge to reverse form. "Although he was just touched off by Starspangledbanner the great thing is he appeared to be coming back at him in the last few strides, which means our worries about the sixth furlong were unfounded," he told his website www.barryhills.com. "We are confident that over the five furlongs of the Nunthorpe he will reverse the placings with the winner. He has come out of the race well, however the same thing cannot be said for Prime Defender. He was the first to be badly hampered at the start of the race when Starspangledbanner made his manoeuvre for the rail, and has come back from the race lame. "He is usually a very sound horse, so hopefully he can return to contest the likes of the Sprint Cup at Haydock later in the season."
