Ruling Court third in G3 Acomb Stakes

Promising two-year-old Ruling Court backed up an impressive debut success with a battling third in the G3 Acomb Stakes at York, UK, on Wednesday, 21 August. 

The Justify colt had stormed home following a slow start on his introduction at Sandown Park but broke on terms this time and soon raced in mid-division towards the outside of the 11-strong field. 

Having travelled into contention in the straight, Ruling Court looked to close on The Lion In Winter passing the two-furlong pole, as Wimbledon Hawkeye also mounted his challenge. 

The front three went clear approaching the final furlong, with The Lion In Winter finding more to score by a length and three-quarters in a juvenile course record for York’s seven furlongs. 

Wimbledon Hawkeye, who had previously finished third behind Ancient Truth in the G2 Superlative Stakes, stuck to his task in second, with a further half-length back to Ruling Court. The Waco Kid took fourth, some five lengths behind the Godolphin colt. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Ruling Court ran a solid race and take nothing away from the winner, who broke the course record. I think that Ruling Court is ready to step up to a mile as he appears to travel and lengthen in his races, rather than quicken. The G3 Autumn Stakes looks a likely target before we put him away for the winter.”