Classy sprinter Mabs Cross is looking to go one better in this years renewal of the Nunthorpe Stakes at York's Ebor festival and trainer Michael Dods believes she needs a strong pace for her to run to her expected potential.
The mares trainer and connections will be hoping she can produce a better run than she has been giving this season potentially taking on some of the best sprinters in the sport with Ten Sovereigns and Battaash set to go to post.
Mabs Cross is a general 5/1 to take the Group 1 spoils with this race having big significance for the horse as she was agonisingly touched off in a photo finish by Alpha Delphini in the 2018 edition of the contest.
The five year old has ran three times this season making a great start to her campaign by scoring on seasonal debut at Newmarket in a nice Group 3, winning off top weight.
She then went to Haydock to take on Battaash for the first time in the season and was outclassed in the Group 2 Temple Stakes finishing third with Alpha Delphini getting the better of her again.
The mare stepped up for her first Group 1 of the season and was a staying on fourth in the King's Stands Stakes at Royal Ascot and although needing to improve in the Nunthorpe, the race showed she still had star quality.
(Credit Racing Post) Trainer Michael Dods said: "She seems every bit as good this year as she did going into the race last season. She's a bit stronger now and she looks great.
"The pace of the race at Ascot didn't suit her, she needs to be off the bridle. I thought she was travelling superbly but she didn't pick up. There should be plenty of pace at York so we're hoping she can run a big race."
The race will again be a huge test for Michael Dods mare but he will be confident his five year old can take advantage of her record and past performances at the track with favourite Battaash being poor on the Knavesmire the last twice in this contest.
Dods added: "It looks a competitive race, as you would expect, with Battaash in great form, but I don't think Battaash turned up last year. Hopefully there will be some nice ground and she can run another big race."