Stake earns Doncaster Acclaim

Stake Acclaim ploughed through the testing conditions in great style to run out a comfortable winner on the first of an eight-race card bringing the curtain down on the Flat turf season at a wet Doncaster.

Stake Acclaim ploughed through the testing conditions in great style to run out a comfortable winner on the first of an eight-race card bringing the curtain down on the Flat turf season at a wet Doncaster.

It was tough going for inexperienced two-year-olds, but Stake Acclaim won like a seasoned campaigner as he opened his account at the third attempt in the Betfred Mobile Cock O'The North EBF Maiden Stakes Division One.

Bapak Asmara was the only threat to Dean Ivory's youngster, but he could not keep up the effort and was three and a quarter lengths behind the 6-4 favourite, ridden by Robert Winston, at the line.

"He's a bit stronger now than he was earlier in the year. You'd think he'd at least 10 runs as he looked an absolute professional," said Ivory.

"He's won as comfortable as he liked. I didn't think he'd find as much as he did especially in the last half-furlong.

"He should be a very serious horse for next year. I think he'll be a six-furlong horse and I'm sure we could drop him back to five the way he travels."

Mobsta (6-4 favourite) also came good when bounding home in division two under Charles Bishop.

The Mick Channon-trained two-year-old had shaped well when second on his debut at Newbury 15 days earlier and went one better as he strode to victory by three and a quarter lengths from Beardwood.

"He's quickened really well from two (furlongs) down," said Bishop.

"I don't think any horse likes ground like that but he's handled it well.

"Hopefully he'll be put away now and he'll be a good horse for next year."

Testing ground proved no problem to Anonymous John (13-8 favourite), who scooted 10 lengths clear of Johnny B Goode in the Betfred "Racing's Biggest Supporter" Nursery.

David Evans' youngster had won on heavy at Windsor last time and coped with an extra furlong and tougher conditions this time.

Jockey David Probert said: "It's hard work out there, but he's loved the conditions.

"The last day in a weak-ish maiden at Windsor he'd won well enough, but he had to come on a lot for this and he's done it very well."

Levitate (4-1 favourite) landed his fourth course triumph as he repeated last year's victory in the Betfred Supporting Jack Berry House Handicap.

John Quinn's mud-lover revelled in the conditions as he swept to the front inside the final furlong to score by three lengths from Lulu The Zulu, with King Torus another length away in third.

"He loves it here and, to be fair, he's run well all year, but he really needs this ground to be at his best," said Quinn.

"He ran well at Ayr but the ground was quick. He's a lovely old horse.

"He'll come back here for the Lincoln again."

Lady Tiana (4-1) made the step up to Listed level looks easy as she barely hit top gear in winning the Betfred TV EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Gillies Fillies' Stakes.

A dual handicap winner this term, she justified trainer Lucy Wadham's decision to up her to black-type level as she triumphed by a length in the hands of Graham Lee.

The official margin hardly does Lady Tiana justice, though, as she reeled in Merry Me, who looked a likely winner two furlongs out, with ease to take it up on the bridle.

Lee just had to employ hands-and-heels tactics to keep Lady Tiana up to her work and hold off the fast-finishing Princess Loulou with Merry Me back in third.

Lady Tiana is a daughter of Derby winner Sir Percy and his owners, Victoria and Anthony Pakenham, are also involved with this filly.

Mrs Pakenham said: "She stays in training.

"She's so tough and has this amazing accelaration.

"We're hoping we'll have a bit of fun with her next year.

"After that, she deserves a rest."

Jacob Butterfield had a fitting end to his best turf season with his 24th winner on Mujazif (10-1) for trainer Dandy Nicholls in the Betfred Bingo Apprentice Handicap.

"Dandy told me to sit handy. At the two-pole I knew we were travelling well and he's gone and done it well," said Butterfield.