Star sprinters from France and the USA do battle in Friday’s prestigious G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York but a local trainer is full of confidence that his own star can beat them.

The US-trained Golden Pal and French-trained Suesa head the betting for the 1000m dash but Tim Easterby, whose stable is less than 25 miles from York, has great faith in Winter Power.

The three-year-old filly, whose dozen races have all been over 1000m, has already won twice at York this season. In her penultimate start, a hot Group 1 event at Royal Ascot, Winter Power chased a too fast pace and inevitably weakened in the closing stages.

Easterby acknowledges, “She went too fast at Ascot but she is in great form and I wouldn’t swap her for anything. This is the race we have always been aiming at. She loves the track, is ready to go, and I’m not worried about anything else.”

Easterby’s enthusiasm is infectious and Winter Power is currently third favourite. She faces very talented opponents, headed by Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal and Francois Rohaut’s Suesa.

Ward has a formidable record with the sprinters he has been bringing to Royal Ascot since 2009 and would love to win the Nunthorpe, a race he came close to winning with Acapulco in 2015 and Lady Aurelia in 2017.

The exciting Golden Pal is unbeaten since his narrow defeat in a Group 2 race at Royal Ascot last year. Having won at the Breeders’ Cup, he was bought by the powerful Coolmore operation. Last month the three-year-old easily won his prep race, a Grade 3 event in the US.

Ward said, “He’s one of the best I’ve trained and may end up as the best. This year he’s bigger, stronger and better mentally. Over 1000m he’s a killer, so quick with a burst of speed. We’re ready to go. Everything is going to plan.”

Rohaut is equally happy with Suesa’s preparation. Favourite for a Group 1 race at Royal Ascot, the three-year-old filly was well beaten but that was over 1200m on heavy ground and from a disadvantageous draw. Suesa then won a Group 2 race over 1000m at Goodwood impressively.

Rohaut said, “It was a fantastic run. The going and the strong pace were perfect for her. She showed that she’s a top class filly. Today I am very happy with her. When I walked her she was very fresh and happy.”

If one of the other contestants prevails, trainer Archie Watson will be hoping it is Dragon Symbol, a high class sprinter usually raced over 1200m. The grey colt was runner-up to Suesa over 1000m but had previously passed the winning post first in a Group 1 over 1200m at Royal Ascot but was demoted for causing interference.

While the Nunthorpe is the day’s highlight, the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup over 3251m and Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes for two-year-olds over 1200m are also fascinating, with Stradivarius hoping to reclaim his title of champion stayer in the former race.