The Wesley Ward-trained Bacio has been rated higher than last week’s Ascot Group 1 winners, Mission Central (119) and Venetian Sun (113), after earning a lofty rating of 120p for his victory in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes on Friday at Royal Ascot.
The American three-year-old colt produced the best performance in a handicap at Royal Ascot last week when sauntering clear of another American raider to win Friday’s finale. Timeform rated his performance level with what Almeraq and Satono Reve (both 120) achieved in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday.
He benefited from the draw, breaking from stall 31, and punters backed him heavily throughout the day, likely because of that advantage. However, he would probably have won regardless of his draw given the dominance of his performance.
That display marks him out as a Pattern-class performer, and connections are now considering the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. For context, the average Timeform performance rating of the last five Nunthorpe winners is 120.6, meaning Bacio is already operating close to the level needed to win the race. He also has the potential to improve even further.
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Timeform’s Andrew Asquith said:
“Wesley Ward saddled both Acapulco (2015) and Lady Aurelia (2017) to finish second in the Nunthorpe Stakes and Bacio will be another leading contender for him if taking his chance later this summer.
“He was outstanding at Royal Ascot last week, looking a very fast horse and not fully extended as he pulverised his opposition on handicap debut, clearly well ahead of his mark of 100. A new Timeform rating of 120p marks him out as one of the best sprinters around at present, certainly among the domestic team, and his run style will be tailor-made for the sharper nature of York.
“It is encouraging that Ward has already stated he intends to head to York with Bacio, as he’ll add plenty of intrigue to the race, and he looks the one to beat at this stage. He would become the first three-year-old winner since Winter Power in 2021 and just the sixth this century.”
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Simon Wilkes 
Michael Davey