Australian speedster Asfoora returned to her brilliant best to win a thrilling Group One Nunthorpe Stakes (1,000m) at York on Friday.

The 17-runner dash was wide open on paper, but Henry Dwyer’s mare turned the race into a procession under Oisin Murphy to win her second top-level race in Britain.

Asfoora always travelled ominously well just behind the leaders and, when others were rowing away, Murphy was just gently coaxing his mount along and the writing was quickly on the wall.

She took up the lead with 200m to go and sauntered away from her rivals, with rank outsider Ain’t Nobody storming home from the rear to finish second ahead of Frost At Dawn.

Asfoora, who won the Group One King Charles III Stakes (1,000m) at Royal Ascot last year before finishing fourth in this race, had been underwhelming in Britain this year, but this was a reminder of just what she can do.

“It seems surreal, silly, and it’s all been a novelty. I’ve really been on a holiday with her the last two years,” Dwyer told Racing Post.

“We know what the days of Black Caviar were like and we’re under no illusions, we’re not her or Nature Strip.

“But she’s picked her market and runs her race when circumstances are right. It’s special. This is one of the biggest sprints in Europe and it’s just amazing.”

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s star stayer Trawlerman produced a gutsy display to give 3lb and a beating to his rivals in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup (3,200m).

The Group One Gold Cup (4,000m) winner at Royal Ascot was always travelling well on the shoulder of Shackleton, and when William Buick took up the lead, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Sweet William nipped at his heels up the straight, but Trawlerman stuck on relentlessly to win by a length and a quarter.