Newmarket trainer Martyn Meade has Group 1 aspirations for his progressive 4-year-old Aclaim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Meade will aim the colt at the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury in May and based on the progression he showed in the backend of 2016 he could be a lively candidate for the race. “I'm very pleased with how he's wintered and I'm aiming for the Lockinge. That is the goal at the moment,” said Meade. “It will be a big ask running in a Group One on his first run of the season, but I think he's a stronger horse this year and he deserves a crack at it. I think he'd go on any ground, but he probably prefers a little bit of cut.” Bred by Meade's son-in-law Dermot Farrington and Canning Downs, Aclaim signed off last season with a win in the G2 Dubai 100 Challenge S. at Newmarket in October, his third win in a row following wins in an Ascot handicap and a listed race at Newbury. Currently rated 114, Aclaim enters the new season with untapped potential and it will be interesting to see how far he can progress.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
