St James's Palace Stakes: Timeform's expert verdict

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

1. Chaldean (Andrew Balding/ Frankie Dettori)
Frankel colt who progressed at a rate of knots last season, completing the four-timer when edging out Royal Scotsman in the Dewhurst at Newmarket. Was unfortunate to unseat rider at the start on his return but quickly resumed progress and winning ways in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he was always to the fore. That's the strongest form and he holds obvious claims.

2. Charyn (Roger Varian/ David Egan)
A smart colt but has been behind a few of these on all three starts this season, with his best effort coming when three-and-a-quarter lengths fourth to Paddington in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh last month. Likely to find some of these too strong once again.

3. Cicero's Gift (Charles Hills/ Kieran Shoemark)
Unbeaten son of Muhaarar who has made great strides with each run, completing the hat-trick in the manner of a future Group-race winner in a conditions race at Goodwood last month, bursting five and a half lengths clear. Takes a big step up in class now but would be no surprise were he to hold his own.

4. Galeron (Charles Hills/ James McDonald)
Seemed to excel himself when five-lengths fourth to Chaldean in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but backed that up when beaten three and a quarter lengths in fifth behind Paddington in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh last month. Minor role probably the best he can hope for once again, however.

5. Indestructible (Karl Burke/ Kevin Stott)
Chased home Chaldean in the Acomb at York and the Champagne at Doncaster for Michael O'Callaghan at two. Took his form up another notch when making a successful reappearance for this yard in the Craven at Newmarket but made no impression in the 2000 Guineas there since. Up against it here.

6. Isaac Shelby (Brian Meehan/ William Buick)
Game winner of the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket at two and took a big step forward when making all in the Greenham at Newbury on his return, recording a good time in the process. Was only just edged out in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp last time so warrants plenty of respect.

7. Mostabshir (John & Thady Gosden/ Jim Crowley)
Shaped like a smart prospect when overcoming a wide draw on his debut at Kempton in November. Was still green when fifth in the Craven but resumed progress in impressive fashion under a penalty in a novice at York last month, unleashing a tremendous turn of foot. Looks significant that his top stable has fast-tracked him to a Group 1.

8. Paddington (Aidan O'Brien/ Ryan Moore)
Most progressive colt who took the big step up in class in his stride to bring up the hat-trick this season in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh. He was ideally positioned the way things developed but was well on top at the line and there should be more to come. Huge player.

9. Royal Scotsman (Paul & Oliver Cole/ Jamie Spencer)
Only just failed to peg back Chaldean in the Dewhurst on his final start as a two-year-old and was an excellent two-and-a-quarter-length third behind the same rival in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his return, keeping on well despite refusing to settle. Disappointed in the Irish 2000 Guineas last time but has big shout on his best form.