'She's got a favourite's chance' - Tate bullish over Royal Aclaim Nunthorpe bid

James Tate is counting down the days until his star sprinter Royal Aclaim lines up in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The unbeaten three-year-old is the clear 2-1 market leader with most firms for the 5f contest on August 19 after running out a seriously impressive winner of the Listed City Walls Stakes over the Nunthorpe course and distance last month.

Victory would give Newmarket-based Tate his first Group 1 success, and the trainer has been happy with the Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum-owned filly since her last outing on July 9.

Tate said: "The Nunthorpe has been the plan since she won the City Walls and, to be frank, we've just been counting down the days.

"She had an easy few days afterwards and she's been in full work for quite a while now.

"She’ll do a little bit of strong work this week and then we’ll ease off her in the last few days before the big race. Everything has gone very well so far."

Despite being one of the least experienced in the Nunthorpe field, Tate is not concerned given how she has started her career.

"She was by far the lowest rated in that Listed race she won and she’s unbeaten," he said.

"We’ve had a good few sprinters in our time – Far Above winning the Palace House, Invincible Army was a Duke of York winner and Group-1 placed – and we think she’s pretty smart. I would like to think she goes to the Nunthorpe with a favourite’s chance."

Bookmakers make speedy juvenile The Platinum Queen, King’s Stand runner-up Twilight Calls and Sunday's Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Highfield Princess the biggest dangers to Royal Aclaim, but trainer Aidan O'Brien said that Little Big Bear, an impressive seven-length winner of Saturday's Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, is being prepared for a tilt at the National Stakes at the Curragh on September 11 instead.

Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (August 19, York)

Betfair Sportsbook: 15-8 Royal Aclaim, 9-2 The Platinum Queen, 8 Highfield Princess, 10 Dramatised, Khaadem, 12 Flaming Rib, Flotus, 14 Persian Force, 16 bar.

Read these next:

Harry Dunlop cites 'economic climate' for decision to stop training this season

'Brilliant' Little Big Bear set to skip Nunthorpe as O'Brien sets next target

Midweek field sizes hit again with another heatwave looming

Sign up here. New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org