19th-Aug-2022

The Nunthorpe is fascinating but, while Royal Aclaim looked really good in winning over the course and distance last time, and while she could be anything, it doesn’t make sense that she is as short as she is.  The handicapper raised her by 16lb for that win, and that still leaves her as just the 10^th highest-rated horse in the race.

Of course, it’s not all about official ratings, but it does give her odds some context.  She is rated 4lb inferior to Highfield Princess, for example, she receives only the 2lb age allowance, and she is one-third her price.

There are other reasons though for believing that Highfield Princess is over-priced.  John Quinn’s mare has been really good this season, winning at Newcastle in April and following up by landing the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes at York in May.

She wasn’t beaten far in the Platinum Jubilee at Royal Ascot, and last time she was very good in winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, when she beat impressive Hackwood Stakes winner Minzaal and Platinum Jubilee winner Naval Crown.

She has to prove her speed for five furlongs, she was a seven-furlong filly until this season, and her best run was probably her last run, over six and a half furlongs.  But she showed lots of pace in the Duke of York Stakes and, if she can lie up with them early, just behind the pace, she should be finishing more strongly than most.  She goes well at York too, her record there reads 321, and she could run a big race.

HIGHFIELD PRINCESS WON (ADV 8/1, SP 5/1)