Nunthorpe on in-form Mattmu's radar Mattmu could be in line for a tilt at the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next Friday following his tenacious victory at the Curragh. Having run some excellent races in defeat this season, the three-year-old deservedly opened his account for the campaign with a battling display to see off Toscanini in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes last weekend. Easterby is keen to let his star youngster have a crack at the Group One on the Knavesmire, but only if there is some ease in the ground. The North Yorkshire handler said: "We were delighted with him, he ran a cracker and he's as tough as teak. "I was going to go to France with him for the Prix Maurice de Gheest, but I wasn't sure if the ground would be right so we decided to go to Ireland for an easier option and it worked out. "He could go for the Nunthorpe if there's some juice in the ground but I'm not sure there's much forecast. "I won't run him if the ground is fast or good as it would be too quick for him." Should conditions go against him at York, Mattmu is not short of alternative options as he holds entries at the Curragh, Haydock and Ascot. Easterby said: "He'll go wherever he gets his ground." Mattmu is one of 24 confirmations for the Nunthorpe, in which ante-post favourite Acapulco remains in the hunt. The giant American sprinter, trained by Wesley Ward, wowed Royal Ascot with a ruthless triumph in the Queen Mary Stakes. Kingsgate Native was the last juvenile to win the race in 2002. Two-times Nunthorpe winner Sole Power, the mount of Frankie Dettori, is the sole challenger from Ireland. Eddie Lynam's venerable eight-year-old struck at York 12 months ago and was last seen finishing fourth in the July Cup at Newmarket in July. Muthmir, Goldream, Move In Time, Pearl Secret and G Force are others of note in a typically strong list, from which Waady and Washington DC were the highest profile defections. Mecca's Angel is also engaged, though Michael Dods will not run her if the ground is too quick. He said: "The weather is the issue because she definitely needs to get her toe in. "As long as the ground is no faster than good, and towards the easier side of good, then she would take her chance. "But if there was any firm in it, we wouldn't be taking the chance."
