Nunthorpe Stakes Result: Ortensia takes Knavesmire glory

Ortensia (left) had won the King George Stakes at Goodwood last time

Australian mare Ortensia staged a remarkable late run to lift the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York...

Paul Messara's seven-year-old was almost last and at least 10 lengths behind at the half-way stage of the five-furlong Group 1.

However, William Buick retained the coolest of heads as he pushed her up the far side of the track and the well-backed 7-2 joint-favourite collared Spirit Quartz in the shadow of the post to collect by a neck.

Hamish McGonagall was given an enterprising ride by David Allan from stall 1, as he headed the pace alone on the far rail and his tactics looked like paying off for a long way.

He was passed by Spirit Quartz on the same side of the track deep inside the final furlong but clung onto third while the other market leader, Bated Breath, was on the near side and was just kept out of the frame by Humidor.

However, this was to be the day for Ortensia, who was virtually retired at one stage but has been reinvigorated by Messara this year and started her campaign with victory in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.

She had been out of luck at both Royal Ascot and in the July Cup, but the decision to keep her in Britain for the rest of the summer had already proved a wise one when she collected the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Buick said: "It's fantastic, I don't know how she won, to be honest.

"They went very fast and I was a long way back, but I could hold a straight course the whole way and she's so much better when she doesn't have to be switched in or out.

"You could see the way she finished the race she's got so much speed and I think if she steps back up to six (furlongs) again, she'll be very hard to beat.

"I don't think I've been quicker in a race before and they just got her off the bridle, but when she gets to the furlong and a half marker she hits that sixth gear and picks up well.

"The ground is a little bit loose, so that probably didn't help her early on - we were kind of wheelspinning a bit.

"She showed at Goodwood what she can do to these sprinters and she showed today she's superior to the sprinters over here."

Messara said: "It's fabulous. It's the most amazing feeling. To win a big one over here is a huge thrill.

"I couldn't believe it yesterday when it poured down. I thought we were coming here with no chance.

"I walked the track this morning and again thought we didn't have a chance. I just thought it was too soft for her to show her acceleration.

"Anyway, we're here and she's done it, just."