Royal Ascot - St James's Palace

Royal Ascot (Day 1, Race 3)

St James’s Palace Stakes (British Champions´ Series) (Group 1) (Entire Colts) (Class 1) (3yo)

Pick: Grand Prix Boss (each/way)

Alexander Pope: Took his time as 2yo but came good last backend when winning twice, much improved when thrashing field in AW race at Dundalk; Creditable effort behind good sorts in UAE Derby on comeback (possible non stayer), and steady improvement since culminated with Group 3 win in tightly matched contest; A mile seems too short and this probably flying too high, though.

Dream Ahead: Brilliant juvenile over 6f, bolting in by 9 lengths on debut, & Coped with fast – track to Group 1 in exemplary fashion when smoothly winning Prix Morny in great style; Ran above even that when running away with Middle Park (soft ground seemed to suit); Dewhurst disappointment could be put down to keenness and poor start but it raised serious questions about his ability to get further and likely to need this run badly on his seasonal debut.

Dubawi Gold: Didn’t look up to competing with the best on a number of occasions last season but impressed with style of his two wins this season, cutting down decent field and then putting race to be a furlong out, both in Listed company at Lingfield (7f); Career best when second in 2,000 Guineas to Frankel, and seen by many as unlucky not to win Irish Guineas latest (given lot to do to catch Roderic O’Connor); Place chance.

Excelebration: Impressed as 2yo, coming clear of fair fields at Doncaster and Newmarket in good style; Even better as 3yo, pushing Frankel closest when second in Greenham and a wide winner of German 2,000 Guineas last time; Holds a decent chance although no chance with Frankel if form taken at face value.

Frankel: Champion 2yo, stamping his authority on quality fields at Doncaster and over C&D in Royal Lodge Stakes; Two main rivals didn’t show up but still cemented his claims as a Champion in Dewhurst,  (subsequent Group 1 winner well behind); Impressive despite pulling on seasonal debut in Greenham (Excelebration held) but produced one of most memorable classic performances in recent times when slaughtering his Guineas opponents, 15 lengths clear at half way and never in danger; Wisely rested since and looks all but unbeatable.

Grand Prix Boss: Top class 2yo, winning three from four starts which included two wins over Yasuda Kinen winner Real Impact; 3yo campaign has included steady progression, culminating with second Group 1 win in NHK Mile Cup last time (once again beating Real Impact, who was 3^rd); That form gives him serious chance here and not to be underestimated.

Neebras: Made highly encouraging debut for David Lanigan at Newbury last May before landing odds comfortably and finishing second in July Stakes, hanging badly left at finish; blew his race before the start & at stalls when reappearing over 6f, much better form when coasting home on bridle in conditions event (confidence booster); Beaten by Fury last time and not likely to reverse tables.

Rerouted: Big improver throughout his juvenile season, graduating from nursery handicaps to winning Tattersall Stakes and coming very respectable fourth in French Group 1; Ran respectable race giving lumps of weight to useful prospect on seasonal debut & couldn’t go fast enough for Frankel in Guineas; Little chance here.

Wootton Bassett: Five from five in marvellous juvenile campaign last year, topping sales race double with decisive all the way thrashing in Prix Jean Luc (form upheld since); Tried hard but couldn’t beat the draw in French Guineas, using up too much energy to get to rail from 14/15 and passed late on; That said, clearly not his true running and will be fitter for his run there; Place chance.

Zoffany: High class 2yo, fulfilling potential with hat trick of wins highlighted by his cosy Phoenix Stakes success, unsuited by heavy ground when third behind Pathfork in National Stakes; Creditable return (had fallen sick) behind Bewitched in Ballycorus Stakes and foolish to rule out big run (will improve).

VERDICT: All eyes will be on FRANKEL, whose incredible demolition job on his rivals in the 2,000 Guineas asks him out as the potential horse of a generation and the standout in his division. His prohibitive price - deserved as it is  –makes for some cracking each/way opportunities, none better than Japanese star GRAND PRIX BOSS whose form gives him an excellent chance of making a bold show. Others who can make a claim are Wootoon Bassett, who will improve for his seasonal debut when trying to overcome a near impossible draw in the French Guineas, Zoffany, who will come on for another promising seasonal debut, & Excelebration, second behind Frankel in the Greenham.