Royal Patronage springs 25-1 surprise as Mark Johnston lands fifth Acomb

When will we ever learn? Ignoring a battle-hardened Mark Johnston runner in a race he has won time and again is never likely to be a wise policy.

Punters were kicking themselves all over the Knavesmire after 25-1 outsider of five Royal Patronage gave his trainer a fifth victory in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.

Highclere Thoroughbreds' colt may have taken three runs to get off the mark, but that did not stop him making all under Jason Hart here, readily seeing off four highly touted juveniles in a contest Johnston first won with subsequent St James's Palace Stakes winner Bijou D'Inde in 1995.

The vibes surrounding his opponents had even got to the trainer himself, who admitted afterwards: "I was starting to have cold feet beforehand, looking at the hype around the other runners. But we decided immediately after Epsom that he was going to step up in class, we looked at the options and this seemed the logical place to come.

"He was the most exposed horse in the race but we brought him here to the Dante meeting, which shows we thought very, very highly of him at that stage. He was beaten over six furlongs first time out, ran well second time at Sandown and then showed us what we always thought of him at Epsom.

"He deserved to be here. I was rather surprised that he was outsider of the field. But none of that matters now."

Recalling Bijou D'Inde's success, Johnston said: "I remember Darryll Holland getting off him and saying this is a Group 1 horse. I think to this day, horses who win the Acomb usually are Group 1 horses. I hope Royal Patronage is. He's won a Group 3 and the only way is up.

"We'll go home and think about targets. On pedigree, the horse will clearly stay further. I was asked whether he's a Guineas horse, it may be he's more a Dante horse but time will tell."

Copper hits them for six

Three-year-olds Twilight Calls and Whenthedealinsdone headed the betting for the opening 5½f handicap but it was Tim Easterby's stable stalwart seven-year-old Copper Knight who taught his younger rivals a lesson with a sixth course success.

The Middleham Park and Ventura Racing-owned sprinter gained a tenth career win by three quarters of a length under David Allan, with Easterby eyeing the £75,000 Portland Handicap on St Leger day at Doncaster on September 11.

Easterby said: "Copper Knight is a super horse and wonderful to train. Dave [Allan] said he'd not felt as good as that in a long time. He loves good ground and coasting along.

"He trains himself really, he just lobs away at the back at home and we don't do anything fancy with him. He gets himself ready and is an absolute star. We may have a look at the Portland at Doncaster."

Tweet Tweet flies home

There was another victory for Malton as Tweet Tweet defied 9st 7lb to score her third win in four starts this year in the fillies' 5f handicap.

Tweet Tweet defies top weightCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Trainer Declan Carroll said: "That was a good performance carrying top weight. She's all heart and she could make a nice filly next year. There's more to come and we could look at a Listed race at the Leger meeting for her."

Replays, results and analysis

Read more from day one of York:

'This is my best day on track' – Mishriff masterclass a thrill for David Egan

Yibir defeats Leger candidates to set up million-dollar Belmont target

Expert jury: is Mishriff the best horse in the world?

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