STAKE ACCLAIM just loves Windsor and he made it win number three at the course this afternoon, when beating Firenze Rosa by a short head in a five furlong apprentice handicap under Callum Hutchinson.
The 9yo sprinting son of Acclamation may not have been in the best of form on the all-weather over the winter but all his previous six wins have been on the grass and he did show signs of a revival when beaten just a length last time out at Chelmsford.
Today, the well backed 9/4 favourite had a lot going for him. He has a good record at the course, appreciates cut in the ground and was drawn nicely, one of eight. Also, he has come down the handicap over the last two years and was today running off a mark 29lbs lower than his last win, which was in April 2019 at Newbury.
Stake Acclaim was always close up and after disputing the lead a furlong from home, he took it up inside the final half furlong and ran on just holding the runner-up. The ground was officially Good To Soft but it was changed to Good, Good to Soft in places after two races, so he did well to win on ground which was drying out.
Congratulations to owner Michael Yarrow, whose charge was winning his seventh race in 45 starts. Rated 108 at his peak, he may not be the force of old but today showed he still has ability and the will to win. The handicapper cannot be harsh given the narrow margin of victory.
This was the second win for the yard in the last six races, following Dancinginthewoods’ success at Leicester ten days ago and hopefully a sign that the yard is now over the quiet spell it endured during the winter.