Acklam Express aims to be cheered on to victory

Limited crowd to witness opening day of St Leger Festival at Doncaster

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 marks an important step, because a limited crowd will be back on course for the first time since March, and supporters of Acklam 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 hemust concede8lbtoCountry Carnival, who beat 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 Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot on her seasonal bow, Onassis 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.

Those coming from off the pace did not have much of a chance that day, and Hayley Turner was far from hard in the finish with Onassis nevertheless making progress late in the day.

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.

SELECTIONS

DONCASTER: 1.10 Mohaafeth, 1.40 Party Game, 2.10 ACKLAM EXPRESS (NAP), 2.40 Roca Magica, 3.15 Onassis, 3.45 Hypothetical, 4.15 Dark Shot.

KEMPTON: 12.55 Toptime, 1.25 Carnation, 1.55 Omnivega, 2.25 Zhui Feng, 2.55 Million Reasons, 3.30 The First Hurrah, 4.05 Badger Berry, 4.40 War Empress.

UTTOXETER: 1.30 Giga White, 2.00 Enchant Me, 2.30 Last Royal, 3.05 The Butcher Said, 3.35 Presence Of Mind, 4.10 Flying Verse, 4.45 Lock’s Corner, 5.15 Innerpickle.

DOUBLE: Acklam Onassis.

Express and

Picture: Shutterstock. Acklam Express winning at York last month.