Another try at the Nunthorpe on the cards for Washington Heights

A second crack at the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes could be in store for Washington Heights after returning to winning ways at York in the City Walls Stakes.

Kevin Ryan’s five-year-old may have been winning for the first time on the Knavesmire when scooping Listed honours, but has rarely performed badly at the venue.

After a solid display in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, Washington Heights registered a first win since April 2024 when obliging favourite-backers on Saturday to book a return to York and the chance to better last year’s sixth-placed finish in the Ebor Festival’s feature Group One sprint.

“I think he’s very likely to head straight to the Nunthorpe, kept fresh and get him there in one piece,” said Cosmo Charlton, racing manager for owners Hambleton Racing

“He goes well at York, and as well as winning there he was second in the big sales race as a two-year-old and also ran well in the Nunthorpe from the wrong side of the track last year behind some good horses.

“I think he’s definitely capable of winning a big one if things drop right for him, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“He’s been a great servant to us and won some good races and also run brilliantly in defeat many times as well. He’s a horse who leaves everything on the track and tried really hard which is what you want and he’s been a great horse for the syndicate .

“He had been running well all season and it was great to see him win, we’re delighted with him really.”