Starspangledbanner heads Nunthorpe market Borderlescott is set to defend his crown in Friday's Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York after featuring among 13 declarations for the Group One heat. Robin Bastiman's stable stalwart is chasing a hat-trick in the race having also scored when it was run at Newmarket in 2008 following the abandonment of the Ebor Festival due to waterlogging. He looked highly unlikely to line up this year after suffering what was initially thought to have been a season-ending injury following a recent success at Goodwood. Chief among his opposition is Aidan O'Brien's Starspangledbanner, winner of the Golden Jubilee and July Cup on his last two appearances. Kingsgate Native won this race as a juvenile for John Best in 2007 and goes again, this time for champion trainer Sir Michael Stoute. Best is represented by another interesting juvenile, Stone Of Folca, who like Kingsgate Native did three years ago, heads to the Knavesmire as a maiden. Barry Hills' Equiano has yet to finish outside the first two in 2010 and is another major player, as is Jeremy Noseda's speedy filly Fleeting Spirit. Hills also saddles Prime Defender, dual course winner Rose Blossom represents Richard Fahey and Sole Power joins Starspangledbanner on the trip from Ireland. Spin Cycle, Mister Hughie, Piccadilly Filly and Dinkum Diamond complete the line-up.
