Wesley Ward admits that Bacio will be “jumping in at the deep end” when he tries to make the leap from handicap good thing to genuine Group 1 contender in the Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month.The son of Maclean's Music made a mockery of a BHA mark of 100 when last seen winning the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot, drawing right away from his 26 rivals in the closing stages to land the spoils by nearly four lengths.All roads now lead to the Knavesmire for the three-year-old as Ward seeks his first success in the Nunthorpe, having previously finished second with Acapulco (2015) and Lady Aurelia (2017).“Is he up to going up to a stakes race? Well, that is what we are hoping. That's why we are jumping in at the deep end of the pool,” said Ward. “He is an extremely talented horse who has only been beaten once and we are looking forward to this race.“It is quite expensive [to travel], but being a Group 1 winner for this guy would make a big difference. We are going to bypass a $2-million race down the street – the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint Stakes – and we are going to travel.“It is quite a trip as we get him down to Chicago five hours away, where they walk them out on to the tarmac and then he is packaged up – like a FedEx package getting mailed anywhere in the world!“He is going to travel with a pony – Redneck Ways or just 'Red' – from the yard, which is an added expense. But, when they have a buddy, a gelding, they don't seem to fret or lose any weight travelling. Bacio is pretty easy-going but, it's like us, it is a lot easier to travel with a friend and it's the same for horses.”Bacio heads the ante-post betting for the Nunthorpe at a general 4-1, with Ward optimistic that his runner's style of racing will be suited to the demands of the Group 1 feature.He added, “It is a race I have been second in twice. It's a very historic race. It is a front-runners' track. He will be in front and hopefully, this time, the whole way. He is certainly as fast as racehorses are, that's for sure.”The post Ward Backing Bacio in Quest for Nunthorpe Breakthrough appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.