Outsider could prove the value as unexposed juveniles line up in open Acomb

Wednesday: 2.25 York
Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3) | 7f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

There has been no outright winning favourite of the Acomb Stakes since 2012 and Royal Patronage’s 25-1 success last season when the outsider of five was the latest in a series of surprise results.

The field is made up of unexposed juveniles and the extent of their talents are difficult to gauge with limited evidence, so steaming into short-priced favourites is ill-advised.

Godolphin's Local Dynasty will have plenty of supporters, but it is questionable whether the Dubawi colt merits such short odds based on the form of his debut Newmarket success 12 days ago.

Local Dynasty impressed that day but his chance was surely enhanced by the late withdrawal of stablemate City Of Kings. There was nothing between the pair in the betting before City Of Kings came out and it is too soon to determine the strength of Local Dynasty’s form.

Only three Acomb winners in the past decade arrived at York off the back of one run. Four of this year's field are once-raced, with the other five having run twice.

Experience is clearly an advantage and the five in question all improved at least a stone on Racing Post Ratings from their first to second run, although the ability to handle the Knavesmire may be just as crucial. The once-raced Shaquille is the only colt with experience of the track.

The Julie Camacho-trained juvenile was sent off a 20-1 shot when an impressive winner on his debut over this course and distance in July and is clearly open to major improvement. He could be the value in the race along with the well-entered Oviedo, who looked an excellent prospect for Ed Bethell when victorious at Doncaster in July and can step forward.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Highclere banking on Hectic

The sky blue silks of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing have featured prominently in the last two runnings of the race – and the owners are hopeful of another bold show this time round with Hectic.

The colt is a son of the 2017 Hungerford Stakes winner Massaat and displayed bags of potential when making a winning debut over six furlongs at Newbury in July.

But it is hard to weigh up the merit of that form as the horses who finished immediately behind the Richard Hannon-trained colt have not run again since.

Chairman and managing director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Harry Herbert said: “Hectic worked well last week and on the back of that we decided to go for this race. We had the winner of this last year and the second the year before, so it has been a lucky one for us.

“Richard has always liked him and it was a good debut effort. Making most of the running is always tough, especially at a track like Newbury.

“We still have a lot to learn about him. He does come from a fast female family but the view from his jockey Pat Dobbs and Richard is that he will benefit from a step up in trip.

“We’ve put him in many of the big juvenile races later in the season and hopefully we'll know where we stand with him after this.”

What they say

Brian Ellison, trainer of Chillhi
He’s taking a big jump in class but he had his race won by the halfway stage at Newcastle last time and he’s been working well. In time he will go up to a mile and the owner wanted me to make an entry in the Royal Lodge Stakes just in case he turns out to be very good.

Chillhi: wide-margin winner at Newcastle on second startCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

David O’Meara, trainer of Feel The Need
He ran a nice race to win at Ayr last time but this is a huge step up.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Local Dynasty
He's a son of Dubawi, who won his only start at Newmarket impressively. He’s come out of the race well and he’s the type who could naturally progress into a Pattern race horse. He’s got a very progressive profile.

Ed Bethell, trainer of Oviedo
It’s a hot race but he has physically improved from his race at Doncaster and the runner-up has gone on to win. I’m really looking forward to having a go and I’m doing a rain dance as easier ground would be a big help.

Julie Camacho, trainer of Shaquille
We're very happy with him and he should improve from his run but he’ll need to against this opposition. It was always the plan to go for the race. It’s only 20 minutes down the road for us and it will help to give us a good idea what to do next.
Reporting by Michael Robson

Wednesday's previews:

1.50 York: can Dakota Gold bring the house down as Ebor festival starts with a sprint?

3.00 York: can 'worthy favourite' Secret State handle the step up to Group 2 company?

3.35 York: 'I think he'll stay, no problem' - Haggas on Baaeed's Juddmonte test

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