'It would mean the world' - Tate chases 'special' Nunthorpe with Royal Aclaim

Friday: 3.35 York
Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) | 5f | 2yo+ | ITV/RTV

James Tate has warned that Nunthorpe Stakes red-hot favourite Royal Aclaim could still have plenty of progression to come as she bids to maintain her unbeaten record and give her trainer a "special" breakthrough Group 1 success.

The three-year-old filly maintained her perfect record with a stunning display in the Listed City Walls Stakes over course-and-distance last month which saw her shoot to Nunthorpe favouritism, having beaten a field including last year's winner Winter Power eased down.

Having grown up just ten miles from the Knavesmire in Tadcaster, Tate admitted it would be extra special to win a first top-level race at his home track with his stable star.

She attempts to join an elite group of fillies to win the Nunthorpe, including Marsha, Mecca's Angel, Ortensia, Lochsong and Lyric Fantasy, while six of the last ten runnings have been won by fillies or mares.

"I grew up near Tadcaster and I've seen many a Nunthorpe in my time. The first one I saw was Dayjur winning but I also remember great fillies like Lyric Fantasy too," he said.

"It would absolutely mean the world to get that Group 1 win, especially with her, we can't pretend otherwise.

Royal Aclaim: a brilliant winner of the City Walls Stakes last timeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"Fillies are often quick and a high number have won the Nunthorpe or run really well in it. She certainly has the speed to win and I really hope she can join that illustrious roll of honour."

Tate missed the King George Qatar Stakes at Glorious Goodwood with the daughter of Aclaim to head straight to the Nunthorpe, and he believes her assignment could also be just the start of Royal Aclaim's career at the highest level.

He added: "Everything's gone very well so far. She's had a great prep and we're all excited. To be unbeaten after three starts and already be rated 108 is remarkable, and she looks like she has more improvement to come."

Platinum bids to be Queen of York

Connections of The Platinum Queen insist it is worth having a crack at all-aged Group 1 company with their star juvenile as she attempts to become only the second two-year-old to win the Nunthorpe this century.

Kingsgate Native was the last two-year-old to beat the elders in 2007, while Acapulco was runner-up in 2015.

Although a juvenile Nunthorpe winner is a rarity, trainer Richard Fahey is unfazed by the task awaiting the speedy daughter of Cotai Glory, who broke the juvenile course record over 5f at Glorious Goodwood on her latest start.

Fahey said: "You don't often see two-year-olds in this race, but she is a big strong filly – not pony-sized by any means. She looked good when winning at Goodwood and gets all the allowances, so it's well worth having a go."

After connections stumped up £40,000 to supplement The Platinum Queen last Saturday, she is set to race with the feather weight of 8st 2lb, with Hollie Doyle taking over in the saddle from regular partner Oisin Orr.

"I am delighted to see that she is quite a short price in the betting after we supplemented her. It would not have looked a good move if she was a 20-1 shot for this," Fahey said.

"It's a shame that her regular jockey Oisin Orr can't do the weight but it's not a problem having Hollie instead."

Owners Middleham Park Racing will also be represented in the race by Clarendon House, who finished sixth in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood last month.

Highfield Princess aiming for Group 1 double delight

Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Highfield Princess had to wait to be given the last-minute approval for the race on Wednesday, but her connections are confident her Deauville heroics will not have left their mark.

The five-year-old, who broke her maiden off a mark of 58 at Ayr in September 2020, has enjoyed a remarkable rise through the ranks, which has included a Royal Ascot success and victory in the 1895 Duke of York Stakes before her first top-level win earlier this month under Jason Hart.

Although the Nunthorpe comes only 12 days after Deauville, Sean Quinn, assistant to Highfield Princess's trainer to John Quinn, believes she has come out of the race in tip-top shape as she attempts a quickfire Group 1 double.

Highfield Princess: bids for a quickfire Group 1 double in the Nunthorpe StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She's absolutely fine," he said. "We just wanted to wait until as late as possible to make sure we were really happy that Deauville hadn't left a mark on her, but it hasn't looked like it.

"She's in great form and has cracking course form too, which is always a plus."

Highfield Princess has yet to win over 5f, with her Maurice de Gheest triumph coming over 6½f and 1895 Duke of York win over 6f, but Quinn thinks the minimum trip should pose no issues.

"We need to see if she handles it against the best 5f sprinters in the country, especially as her previous races here were over six and seven furlongs, but we feel she should handle the test," he added.

"It will be the key race to see if she can mix it with them, but all the team are really looking forward to the race nonetheless and she's a remarkable mare given all she's achieved."

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Dragon Symbol
He had a confidence-boosting win at Hamilton a couple of weeks ago. He's drawn on the wing, but hopefully there will be some pace around him. His best form this season has been over five furlongs and he looks to be coming back to himself. If so, he should run a big race.

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer of Emaraaty Ana
He went over to Dubai but didn't seem to take to it well. He's shown that he's coming back to his best by running well in the July Cup, and he was second in this race last year.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Khaadem
I'm very happy with him and he seems to be in just as great form as he's been all season. He has a nice draw and the track and ground will suit. He has as good a chance as any.

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Acklam Express
Everything went wrong for him at Goodwood. We thought we had a good draw but they ended up racing on the wrong side of the track for us. I can see him running into a place.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of New York City
We think he's coming back to form. We were very happy with his run the last day at the Curragh and we think he'll improve from that. Hopefully, he'll take another step forward. He's in good shape and we're hoping for another good run.

Tim Easterby, trainer of Winter Power
She's in great form and has been working very well at home recently. For whatever reason she wasn't herself earlier in the season and on her last start behind Royal Aclaim, but I feel she's back to her best form now.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Flotus
She's obviously dropping back to 5f but I think she'll have the speed to cope. She's in really good nick and we missed Goodwood to give her a summer break, which she's done really well for. Dropping to 5f is a different story, but we couldn't be happier with her.

Friday's race previews:

1.50 York: 'He has a better chance than the betting suggests' – Sky Bet Handicap quotes

2.25 York: Stradivarius camp 'excited' as staying legend bids to extend unbeaten York run

3.00 York: can Karl Burke land another big race with juvenile 'everybody's talking about'?

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.