St James's Palace Stakes: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

TF Tips
13 June 2022

The St James's Palace Stakes is one of the feature races on day one of Royal Ascot

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Timeform bring you their runner-by-runner guide to the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

"Coroebus sets a very high standard on his win in what looks a strong renewal of the 2000 Guineas..."

St James's Palace Stakes
16:20 Royal Ascot, Tuesday
Live on ITV

1. Aikhal (Aidan O'Brien, Ireland/ Ryan Moore)
Smart form when placed over 1m at pattern level on his last two outings as a juvenile. This a tough race to reappear in, but he's only had four starts so it's unlikely he's reached his limit yet.

2. Angel Bleu (Ralph Beckett/ Rob Hornby)
Winner of a Group 2 and a pair of French Group 1s (7f/1m) in excellent two-year-old campaign. Showed he's trained on when beaten a length and a half into third behind Perfect Power in Greenham on reappearance, but Lusail was ahead of him in second. Likely vulnerable.

3. Bayside Boy (Roger Varian/ David Egan)
Won Group 2 Champagne at Doncaster last September and third in Group 1 Dewhurst and Futurity on final two outings last year. Difficult draw and can probably be forgiven his reappearance run in French 2000 Guineas, but others are still readily preferred.

4. Berkshire Shadow (Andrew Balding/ James Doyle)
Won Coventry at this meeting last year. Best effort yet when beaten five lengths into fifth behind Coroebus in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance, but there's no reason why he'll turn that form around.

5. Checkandchallenge (William Knight/ Danny Tudhope)
Won on all-weather first two starts, following up his Wolverhampton maiden success in a 1m listed race at Newcastle on Good Friday. His inexperience found him out in the 2000 Guineas 15 days later (also met trouble), but he should be more streetwise with that behind him. Remains capable of better.

6. Coroebus (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick)
Probably unfortunate not to be unbeaten and he looked a miler out of the top drawer when seeing off stablemate Native Trail in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in April. Sets a clear standard and can't oppose.

7. Light Infantry (David Simcock/ Jamie Spencer)
Unbeaten in two runs last autumn, including Group 3 Horris Hill at Newbury. Didn't fare too badly given his lack of experience when beaten six and a half lengths into ninth behind Coroebus in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance and he remains open to improvement.

8. Lusail (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs)
Dual Group 2 winner over 6f as a two-year-old, including the Gimcrack at York. Returned with a good second (Angel Bleu third) in Greenham, but his limitations were seemingly exposed when subsequently beaten five and a quarter lengths into sixth behind Coroebus in 2000 Guineas.

9. Maljoom (William Haggas/ Cieren Fallon)
Made it three from three when quickening impressively from off the pace to see off 10 rivals in German 2000 Guineas at Cologne (1m, good) 23 days ago. This exciting prospect is one of two fascinating contenders for his yard.

10. Mighty Ulysses (John & Thady Gosden/ Frankie Dettori)
Unable to justify favouritism in Silver Bowl at Haydock (1m, good) last month, but he still produced a really smart effort under his big weight and that form has been boosted. Jumps from a handicap to a Group 1, but he certainly shouldn't be underestimated for a yard with a good record in this.

11. My Prospero (William Haggas/ Tom Marquand)
Iffraaj colt who is improving fast, winning 1m Newbury maiden on return before wearing down Reach For The Moon in listed Heron at Sandown (1m, good to firm) 26 days ago. Definitely more to come and can make his mark at higher level.

12. New Energy (Sheila Lavery, Ireland/ Robbie Colgan)
Drawn blank since Curragh debut win, but he has progressed well, notably finishing an excellent second (beaten a length and three quarters) behind Native Trail in Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh (1m, good to soft) last time. It's likely more will be needed again to reach a place here, though.

13. Wexford Native (Jim Bolger, Ireland/ Kevin Manning)
Has come a long way in a short space of time (didn't make debut until late March), finishing three lengths fourth to Native Trail in Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh (1m, good to soft) 24 days ago. Another chunk of improvement required, but his yard certainly knows what it takes to win this.

Timeform Analyst's Verdict:

A very intriguing renewal, featuring more unknown quantities than is sometimes the case. That said COROEBUS sets a very high standard on his win in what looks a strong renewal of the 2000 Guineas so the likes of William Haggas pair My Prospero and Maljoom and the Gosdens' Mighty Ulysses, who all have the potential to make their mark at the highest level, will need to take another sizeable step forward to trouble Charlie Appleby's charge.

1. Coroebus
2. My Prospero
3. Maljoom