Nunthorpe dreams for 'top-class' Royal Aclaim after resounding novice win

Saturday: Bath

Trainer James Tate was dreaming of a Nunthorpe Stakes victory with Royal Aclaim after the filly scored emphatically on her first start on turf.

The three-year-old returned from an injury that kept her from the track for more than a year to land a decisive success under Neil Callan in the 5f novice stakes.

It was just the second start for the James Tate-trained filly, who beat subsequent Middle Park winner Perfect Power in her maiden over a year ago, and after missing Royal Ascot last year Royal Aclaim could be the key to Tate landing a first Group 1 success.

"Her injury has taken a long time to heal," Tate said. "She hadn't done a lot of work prior to today but you could see she is just blessed with natural speed.

"When we worked her the first time after her maiden last year she blew us away, and we've known she was top-class since."

Although the daughter of Aclaim carries an entry for the July Cup, Tate is keen to keep the filly over five furlongs, with a step up to Pattern company next on the cards.

"In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have given her so many entries over six furlongs, she was all speed today," he said. "I might realign my dreams to five. The Nunthorpe sounds nice, doesn't it? I'm from Yorkshire, so it has a good ring to it."

Millman hits bar again

After a day of near-misses on Friday, Rod Millman continued his unlucky streak with another second when Cuban Mistress was pipped after making all in the fillies' novice stakes.

With Lezoo winning on her debut for Ralph Beckett, Millman recorded a sixth runner-up result in two days, two of which were decided in a photo-finish.

Results, replays and analysis

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