Charlie Appleby's Ruling Court will look to enhance his place at the top of next year's Epsom Derby ante-post market in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday.
A € 2.3 million purchase from the Arqana breeze-up sales in May, Ruling Court already held a lofty reputation before setting foot on the track. Charlie Appleby's son of Justify was sent off a well-fancied 4/9 favourite to make a winning debut over seven furlongs at Sandown last month, and although he showed signs of greenness in the early stages, he swept passed his rivals in impressive style for a decisive five and a half-length success.
That performance saw bookmakers react by sending him straight to the head of next year's 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby markets and Appleby's exciting prospect will now head to York in a bid to strengthen his Classic credentials.
"We were obviously delighted with Ruling Court on his first start at Sandown and he has definitely come on for the run," Appleby told www.godolphin.com.
"We always felt that a nice, galloping track like York would suit, and it looks a more competitive contest than in the past with the race conditions having changed this year.
"We go there with a horse who looked very exciting on his debut and, if the improvement that we have seen at home is there, he is hopefully going to be very competitive again."
Paddy Power makes Ruling Court an even-money chance to remain unbeaten in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York on Wednesday, with The Lion In Winter a clearcut second favourite.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt made an exciting winning debut when powering past a more-fancied stablemate to score by two and a quarter lengths under Wayne Lordan at the Curragh.
"He's in very good form," said O'Brien on Racing TV. "Obviously, he has a middle-distance pedigree. The seven furlongs, and it's a sharp seven at York, might be a bit quick for him, but we think the experience will do him good.
"It (the Acomb) works into his programme to run there, and the reality is he looked a very smart horse when won his maiden. He's by Sea The Stars so they usually do stay very well, he's a nice medium-sized horse and is made like a two-year-old though."
The son of Sea The Stars is a general 14/1 chance for the 2025 Epsom Derby (Ruling Court 12/1 fav) and when asked if he would be in O'Brien's Classic picture next year, he replied: "I think he has to be, he got a very good rating when winning at the Curragh and everybody had good things to say about him afterwards. Wayne (Lordan) rode him, and he really liked him, so we'll find out as we go along.
"We have one eye on the Goffs Million with him, and this would be a lovely race to fill in between with him. Win, lose, or draw at York, we expect him to learn a lot there and it will stand him in good stead for his next race."
Whilst Charlie Appleby and Aidan O'Brien's colt dominate the market, there is no shortage of strength in the depth, with Group 2 Superlative Stakes third Wimbledon Hawkeye and AMO Racing's impressive debut winner Diablo Rojo both interesting contenders at double-figure prices.
