
Spicy Marg all set to take on her elders in Nunthorpe
As a juvenile filly Spicy Marg will carry just eight stone if she steps up to take on her elders at Group One level on the Knavesmire and Bell is keen to roll the dice.
He said: 'The plan is to give it a go. All the speed analysts seem to think she should be having a crack at it – her figures are very, very good – and she clearly is in very good form.
'I think it's very relevant her dam (Main Desire) won two Listed races over five furlongs on the Knavesmire, so it's in her genes she should like the track and I strongly think she will.
'We're very happy with her and very much looking forward to it.'
Connections are ready to pay the £40,000 supplementary fee to add Spicy Marg to the Nunthorpe field at the weekend, with Hong Kong-based rider Harry Bentley booked for the ride.
'Harry is waiting for his licence to be rubber-stamped by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, he tells me that's a formality, so the intention is for him to ride,' said Bell, who won the Nunthorpe in 2011 with Margot Did.
'She wants good, fast ground. We'll wait until Saturday to confirm it, but the intention is very much to supplement her at this stage.'
Another filly bound for the Nunthorpe is the William Knight-trained Frost at Dawn, who was a neck second to American Affair in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing fourth in the King George at Goodwood.
Knight said: 'She doesn't need to do much between now and then, she's put her weight back on already.
'I just hope and pray the rain stays away at York and if it's good to firm ground there I think she could run a massive race.
'I think she's in the form of her life at the moment, she just looks so much stronger this year, and I think York will really suit her as a track.
'I just think it's key that rain stays away and we get a good preparation from now into York. If she can repeat the form from her Ascot run, that puts her bang there.'
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