J.R. Chester's Nuclear Debate rallied from off the pace to score a 1 1/4-length triumph over Godolphin Racing's Bertolini in the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes (Eng-I) at York, England on Thursday. The 5-year-old gelded son of Geiger Counter -- out of the Cox's Ridge mare I'm An Issue -- completed the five furlong course in :57.83 over good turf, listed as good to firm in places.Gerald Mosse booted home the John Hammond trainee, who was sent off as the 5-2 betting favorite. Pipalong finished third, 1 1/2 lengths behind Bertolini. In the 13-horse field, Watching came home fourth, and Perryston View fifth.The win is the eighth for Nuclear Debate, coming in his 29th career start. It also marks his first win in a group I event and his third consecutive victory. Previous to the Thursday's win, he won the King's Stand Stakes (Eng-II) by 1 1/2 lengths at Ascot and the Prix du Gros-Chene (Fr-II) at Chantilly, both in June.
