TRAINER Michael Dods is planning to be double-handed for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes – the sprint showdown at York that his Denton Hall Stables won last summer.

All being well, on Friday 19 August, Mecca’s Angel ,will try to regain the Group 1 crown she claimed twelve months ago on the Knavesmire.

And the intention is for her stable-mate, Easton Angel, to also line up in the 2016 renewal of the five-furlong race, which has increased in value to be worth £340,000.

Mecca’s Angel gave Dods’ team a cherished first Group 1 triumph when she scored in convincing fashion by two lengths from Us raider, Acapulco.

Owner David Metcalfe’s grey mare opened her 2016 campaign with a neck defeat behind the Clive Cox trained, Profitable, in the Temple Stakes before not firing in the testing conditions at Royal Ascot in the King’s Stand.

But she was back to something close to her very best last month when putting up an emphatic display in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at The Curragh.

Easton Angel, owned by Al Shaqab Racing and Ritchie Fiddes, has already struck twice this term – including over course and distance in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes, interestingly the same race that launched the career of Profitable, who remains a potential opponent in two weeks’ time.

The three-year-old filly, stabled in County Durham, ran well again last week at Goodwood in the Group 2 King George Stakes, finishing fourth of seventeen – beaten only half a length – despite a less than straightforward passage.

“Both Mecca’s Angel and Easton Angel are in good form,” reported Dods a fortnight ahead of his charges’ bid for Coolmore Nunthorpe glory.

“Obviously, with Mecca’s Angel, it would be nice to have a bit of juice in the ground. But they are both well and we’re looking forward to it.”

The trainer outlined how he was pleased to see Mecca’s Angel regain the winning thread in Ireland three weeks ago.

He said: “It was good. We knew that things didn’t go right at Ascot – the ground was very testing, she showed in season. Obviously, it was a big disappointment.

“But we were happy we had her where we wanted for Ireland and luckily she went there and did well.

“If she can turn up (at York) in the same form that she turned up last year then I’ll be very happy.”

Connections will be hoping for some fortune in running for Easton Angel at York after a very creditable but somewhat frustrating effort at Goodwood on 29 July.

Dods added: “It didn’t happen for her. She didn’t jump as well as I’d have liked and certainly didn’t have a lot of luck in running. But that’s what happens in these sprint races.

“She has won at York and I’m sure she’ll put a good performance up. It’s nice to be going there with two such ‘live’ chances but we understand there are a lot of other good horses there. We just need a bit of luck on the day.”

Whatever happens in this year’s renewal, the memory of Mecca’s Angel triumph at York 12 months ago will forever burn bright for those closest to it.

Dods reflected: “To win the Nunthorpe – our first Group 1 success and to do it at York, our local grade 1 track – it meant a lot.

“There were a lot of people there that we knew and it was a good day for everyone, especially all the staff, the owners and Paul Mulrennan.”

The Welcome To Yorkshire Ebor Festival – the highlight of York’s season – begins on Wednesday 17 August and runs to Saturday 20 August. The four-day meeting showcases the stars of horseracing and includes three Group 1 races and the famous Betfred Ebor – Europe’s richest Flat handicap.