Nuclear Debate blew away his rivals in the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York today to make it a happy homecoming for a former leading local trainer.
Lynda Ramsden, once based in Thirsk, was showered in congratulations by old friends after the gelding, in which she has an interest, seized the Group One prize.
Ramsden, now living in Chantilly, France, owns a quarter share in the five-year-old who was carrying the colours of Ripon farmer Bob Chester.
'It`s great to come back again - and even better to see this horse winning,' said Ramsden who trained the horse herself until she quit at the end of the 1998 season.
Nuclear Debate, the 5-2 favourite, was unleashed with a devastating run at the furlong pole by Gerald Mosse.
He quickly pulled clear and went on to defeat Godolphin`s Bertolini by one and a quarter lengths. Pipalong was one and a half lengths further away.
Nuclear Debate has shown enormous improvement in the care of Chantilly-based but English-born John Hammond.
'It`s difficult to explain why it`s happened - some sprinters just improve with age and maybe it`s just maturity with him,' he said.
'His formlines coming into this race were really solid and we thought he had a decent chance. But Gerald Mosse did give him a lovely ride.'
Mosse was suitably impressed and said: 'I don`t get the chance to ride many sprinters but this would certainly be the best I`ve been on.'
What to do next with Nuclear Debate is a moot point as he is ineligible for the Prix de l`Abbaye because he is a gelding.
Ramsden`s husband Jack, a renowned punter, said: 'It would probably be worth trying him over six furlongs now but I don`t know where we would go.'
Hammond is annoyed that Nuclear Debate is unable to take part in the Prix de l`Abbaye.
'I find it absolutely ridiculous that he can`t run and I`ve already brought it to the attention of the authorities. Maybe they`ll change the rulesfor next year,' he said.
Nuclear Debate is likely to be travelling again to the Far East this winter to take part in the Hong Kong Sprint.
The gelding was disappointing when finishing ninth in the corresponding event at the Sha Tin track last year.
'He`d had a heavy campaign when he went there last year and this time he will have had a much easier time which should make a difference,' said Hammond.
Looking further ahead the trainer confirmed that Nuclear Debate would be going for the Stg£100,000 bonus offered by Victor Chandler to any horse winning the Palace House Stakes, Duke of York Stakes and Nunthorpe Stakes.
Bertolini emerged with plenty of credit and is now a possibility for the Sodexho Diadem Stakes at Ascot next month.
Pipalong`s trainer Tim Easterby said: 'She`s run a cracking race, but they were just too quick for her on the ground.
'She`ll run where it is soft - the Haydock Sprint Trophy, the Prix de l`Abbaye and theDiadem.'
