16:20 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 18 June 2019

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)

  • 3YO only  |   Class 1  |   7f 213y  |   Good (Good to Soft in places)  |   11 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:23  |   Winning time: 1m 39.9s
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Selected odds by:
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1
(8)
Horse silk
33/1
Kingman colt who was impressive when winning a novice event at Newmarket on debut. Well beaten at Sandown in Listed class last time though and has it all to prove up at Group 1 level on just his third start.
2
(1)
Horse silk
Circus Maximusb117
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR:  110| D
10/1
Just a heavy ground maiden win to his name as a juvenile but won well in Listed class at Chester in May. Ran with credit in the Derby last time when sixth of 13. Drop back in trip wouldn't appear to be in his favour though. First-time blinkers on.
3
(11)
Horse silk
Fox Champion30
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: R Hannon| OR:  110| D
25/1
Has won all four of his starts since finishing runner-up on debut and held on gamely to win the Group 2 German Guineas last time out. Soft ground an unknown if it continues to rain but clearly going the right way at present.
4
(5)
Horse silk
King Of Comedy26
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: J & T Gosden| OR:  111| D
4/1
Has won three of his four starts and it was a career best when winning a Listed race at Sandown last month. Seems to go on any ground and every chance this son of Kingman will continue to progress.
5
(7)
Horse silk
Phoenix Of Spain24
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR:  120| D
5/2
Unlucky when runner-up in a Doncaster Group 1 on final start of 2018 and mightily impressive when winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas last time out. Has the scope to progress from that effort and rates as the one to beat here.
6
(4)
Horse silk
Royal Marine45
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: C Soumillon| T: S bin Suroor| OR:  109| D
33/1
Won a French Group 1 as a juvenile but has struggled in two starts at Newmarket this term, most recently when beaten a long way in the 2,000 Guineas. Return to more cut in the ground could be in his favour but others preferred on balance.
7
(6)
Horse silk
Shaman37
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: M Guyon| T: C Laffon-Parias| OR:  101| D
14/1
Has won twice at Pattern level in France already this year and he was an excellent second in a Group 1 last time out at Longchamp. This is tougher but he looks progressive and any more rain would be in his favour.
8
(3)
Horse silk
Skardu24
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR:  111| D
7/1
Unlucky when drawn on the wrong side in the Guineas, getting the better of all the rivals who raced in the main group. Didn't quite perform to the same level in the Irish Guineas but may have found that coming too soon and he remains with potential.
9
(9)
Horse silk
The Irish Rover30
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR:  99
100/1
Only has a Newbury win to his name to date and tends to struggle up at Group level, as seen when ninth of 10 in a Naas Group 3 last time out. Looks vulnerable stepped up in trip here and down the order on jockey bookings.
10
(2)
Horse silk
Too Darn Hot24
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR:  126| BF| D
2/1
Won each of his four starts as a juvenile, culminating in a Group 1 Dewhurst success in October. Didn't stay when runner-up in the Dante and his Irish Guineas second only came nine days later behind Phoenix Of Spain. May get closer to that rival.
11
(10)
Horse silk
Van Beethoven24
Age: 3|  Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR:  107
66/1
Group 2 winner as a juvenile but well beaten on each of his four starts this season. Has plenty to find with several in here after his Irish Guineas sixth last time out.

Forecasts

Too Darn Hot (2/1), Phoenix Of Spain (5/2), King Of Comedy (4/1), Skardu (7/1), Circus Maximus (10/1), Shaman (14/1), Fox Champion (25/1), Royal Marine (33/1), Bell Rock (33/1), Van Beethoven (66/1), The Irish Rover (100/1)

Verdict

PHOENIX OF SPAIN won the Irish 2,000 Guineas in fine style last time out and there's every chance he can progress from his first run of the season here. Too Darn Hot may have found that run coming a little too soon after his Dante second and may also be able to put up an improved performance. Skardu and Shaman are both interesting and any deterioration in conditions would make the latter of interest.
  1. Phoenix Of Spain
  2. Too Darn Hot
  3. Shaman

Previous Winners

2018
Without Parole
Weight: 9-0  |Age: 3
9/4

Prize Money

1st: £305,525.002nd: £115,831.003rd: £57,970.004th: £28,877.005th: £14,492.006th: £7,273.00

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