Luke Morris tipped for success as he's set for plum ride on Big Evs in Nunthorpe
Luke Morris is the name at the top of Mick Appleby’s ‘wanted’ list for star two-year-old - and Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes hope - Big Evs.
Jason Hart has ridden the son of Blue Point in each of his three career outings, including victories in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
But Hart will sever the partnership to partner favourite and reigning champion Highfield Princess on the Knavesmire two weeks today.
Appleby’s search for a replacement is compromised by the fact Big Evs will carry 8st 3lb in his quest to become the first youngster since Kingsgate Native in 2007 to land the five-furlong test.
But Morris, who captured the Nunthorpe aboard Marsha in 2017, has ridden at 8st 2lb in the past 12 months and Appleby said: “Luke Morris would be first choice if he’s available.
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“He’s won the Nunthorpe and he could do the weight. We’ve also got a chance of Cieren Fallon. They are both good jockeys,” added the Rutland trainer, who must pay £40,000 to supplement Big Evs.
“He’s come out of Goodwood very well. He toughed it out and he’s very good - a very exciting horse - and we’re 99 per cent certain to supplement him.”
Meanwhile, Purosangue, the horse Big Evs beat in the Molecomb, will also head to York.
Owned by Opulence Thoroughbreds and Teme Valley and trained by Andrew Balding, the son of Aclaim made a winning debut at Haydock in June before taking an encouraging step up to Group Two company at Newmarket's July Festival when fourth to Jasour in the July Stakes.
Dropped back both in trip to five furlongs and slightly in grade to Group Three level at Goodwood, he produced a fine display to be beaten only a neck by Big Evs and his owners now believe they have a top sprinting prospect to enjoy.
"He's a proper horse definitely and he's just going to go and get better and better as well," said George Gill, director of Opulence Thoroughbreds.
"He's not your typical breeze-up horse who can regress mentally after their first run, he's actually mentally and physically improved from Haydock to Newmarket and then to Goodwood.
"I definitely think he's a five-furlong horse for now. He's sort of one you can imagine in the King's Stand next year at Royal Ascot and I think if we come up against Big Evs again, I reckon we can beat him."
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