Acklam Express can take advantage of age in Scarbrough Stakes
Acklam Express can defy his tender years and claim the bet365 Scarbrough Stakes on the opening day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster.
The card mark san important step, because a limited crowd will be back on course for the first time since March, and supporters of Ac kl am Express could be going home happy after the Listed event.
The weight-for-age allowance ensures Nigel Tinkler’s charge carries a virtual featherweight compared to the toprated Dakota Gold and Moss Gill, with the juvenile technically 12lb inferior, but actually getting 22lb from that pair.
In turn he must concede 8 lb to Country Carnival, who b eat him on his racecourse bow, but Acklam Express has gone from strength to strength since – winning each of his three runs, culminating in the Roses Stakes at York.
Two of the also-rans that day are subsequent winners – and while Acklam Express still has plenty of questions to answer at this level, Tinkler clearly fancies his chances with an unexposed runner.
Onassis can realise trainer Charlie Fellowes’ long-term plan by winning the Group Three bet365 Sceptre Stakes.
The three-year-old has a bit to find with a few of her rivals here on the official figures and past performances, not least Cloak Of Spirits, but Fellowes expects everything to suit his charge as she seeks a first Pattern race success.
A surprise winner of the Sand ring ham Handicap at Royal Ascot on her seasonal bow, On ass is subsequently fell short when upped to this level at Epsom before bouncing back for a Listed success in France.
Admittedly she was again found wanting in Group Three company at Sandown, but it was not a bad effort in the Atalanta Stakes, finishing just over five lengths behind the all-the-way winner Maamora in what ended up being a bit of a tactical affair.
Switching back to seven furlongs from a mile should not present too many issues, while she has shown ability on all types of ground too. Onassis could be a value bet.
The Mondialiste Leger Legends Classified Stakes is usually reserved for retired champions – but with only current professionals allowed this year, Frankie Dettori can take full advantage ab oar dRo ca Magica.
Ed Dun lop’ s runner will switch back up to a mile here after falling short when fourth over seven furlongs last time, when she was putting all her best work in at the end. The four-year-old was twice successful over a mile earlier in the campaign, and a slow start could hardly have helped on her most recent run.