York Ebor Festival 2015: Nunthorpe Stakes preview (15.40)
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Acapulco scored in devastating fashion last time out and looks a worthy favourite to land the 5f feature contest on day three of the York Ebor Festival, the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (15.40).
Trained in America by Wes Ward, the filly could not have been more impressive when landing the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes over 5f at Royal Ascot on just her second start.
The strapping two-year-old looked head and shoulders above her rivals in the paddock, and that also proved to be the case in the race itself.
After showing bags of early pace to travel at the head of affairs on the bridle, Acapulco showed a smart turn of foot when pushed clear a furlong from home to quickly put the race to bed and beat Easton Angel with far more in hand than the winning margin of 1 1/2 lengths suggests.
It was a breathtaking performance in a race run in a quick time and one which oozed class.
Acapulco looks a juvenile right out of the top drawer judged on the manner of that victory, and receives a hefty weight-for-age allowance in this contest.
The daughter of Scat Daddy receives 24lb and upwards from all her rivals and that is going to make her very hard to beat.
Sole Power won this race for a second time 12 months ago, and looked as good as ever when landing a Group 1 victory in Dubai back in the spring.
The Eddie Lynam trained eight-year-old has since not been beaten far in the Group 1 Kings’ Stand Stakes and July Cup, and should get the strong pace to he needs to be seen at his best.
With Frankie Dettori taking over in the saddle for the first time,the veteran has to be feared, but giving 27lb to the unexposed Acapulco looks a big ask at this stage of his career.
Another major player is the William Haggas trained Muthmir.
The progressive five-year-old put in a career-best performance last time out when landing the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and looks a Group 1 winner waiting to happen.
Coral’s top tip: Acapulco looks something out of the ordinary and a worthy favourite to land a cracking renewal of the Nuthorpe Stakes for American trainer Wes Ward
