June 20 / 16.20 Ascot

16.20

Good

St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Colts)

  • Prize money: £340260
  • 0m 7f 213y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Colts)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.20
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 51-111 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Patently well treated off 97 in notable handicap at Naas (7f, heavy) on seasonal debut, then followed up in Listed grade; took another step up the ladder in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh (1m, good) where he was driven out for 2l success and took his overall form figures to 51111; fast-improving colt who should continue to do well; trainer has won this race eight times; strongly respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(5)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Paddington

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

took keen hold, prominent, lost position after 2f, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong

2/1

3rd

3

(2)

23rd Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

Paddington

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

raced in second

8/13

1st

6

(4)

2nd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Paddington

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

bumped rival start, took keen hold, made virtually all, joined over 3f out, pushed along and led narrowly against near rail over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong, went clear towards finish

4/9

OUR TIP

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 111-U1 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
Unseated rider at the start, having been bumped, in the Greenham on seasonal debut; very progressive in his completed races and was one of the leading 2yos last year, culminating in Dewhurst win (on good going; held on from strong-finishing Royal Scotsman); successful in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (on soft ground) most recently, sticking on well having raced prominently as usual; goes about his business in a straightforward and genuine manner; leading player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Chaldean

9st 3lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Andrew Balding

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, went second over 4f out, chased clear leader over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, eased over 1f out

10/1

2nd

1

(1)

20th Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Chaldean

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Andrew Balding

led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

2/1

1st

2

(3)

6th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:40 Newmarket

Chaldean

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Andrew Balding

Races prominently and can make the running; can battle too, as he showed when taking care of Indestructible in the Acomb at York and the Champagne on soft ground at Doncaster, before holding on by a head from Royal Scotsman in the Group 1 Dewhurst here on good (unraced on firmer); mishap leaving the stalls at Newbury two weeks ago prevented any assessment of his progress from two to three, but he was one of the top 2yos and may well stay 1m.

13/2

3rd
2 (7)
Charyn

50/1

  • Place: £5.45

Form: 31-284

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Group 2 scorer as a 2yo; has finished second in the Greenham, eighth in the 2,000 Guineas and fourth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas this season; useful colt but those three defeats give him something to find with several of today's rivals and also expose his limitations to some extent.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(8)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Ascot

Charyn

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Won with something to spare in the Queen Anne over C&D (good to firm) in June and did likewise in another Group 1 at Deauville in August (1m, good; Prix Jacques le Marois); runner-up in Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp (1m, soft) last month behind one given an enterprising ride; leading claims.

13/8

1st

5

(9)

18th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Charyn

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

in touch with leaders, good headway from over 3f out, pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, kept on well, readily

3/1

2nd

3

(6)

18th May 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newbury

Charyn

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Roger Varian

Acts on soft; ran respectably in top 1m races won by Paddington last season; 2-2 this term, readily winning the Doncaster Mile (Listed) then coming with a late surge to beat Poker Face in the bet365 Mile at Sandown (Group 2); better than ever as a 4yo and may well improve further; major player.

9/2

Form: 117-12

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Failed to beat a rival in last year's Dewhurst; solid record otherwise and bounced right back in the Greenham at Newbury (7f, soft; scored comfortably) on reappearance, then ran well in the French Guineas at Longchamp (1m, very soft; close second); Group 2 winner on fast ground last July; brings Classic form and the possibility of further improvement, so he's a must for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

10

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 York

Isaac Shelby

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Brian Meehan

Likeable 3yo who met trouble when fourth to Paddington in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m, good) and posted a personal best when running Kinross to a neck in the Lennox at Goodwood (7f, good to soft) next time; looks the pick of the younger brigade and likely to have a say.

13/2

2nd

8

(5)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Goodwood

Isaac Shelby

8st 13lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Brian Meehan

Smart colt whose 7f form includes wins in the 2022 Superlative (good to firm) and this year's Greenham (soft); solid efforts over 1m at Group 1 level the last twice, finishing second in the French Guineas then fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes; respected back down in trip/grade.

3/1

4th

6

(3)

20th Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Isaac Shelby

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Brian Meehan

in touch with leaders

8/1

40/1

Form: 122-10 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Creditable second behind Chaldean in a couple of major 2yo races when trained by Michael O'Callaghan, then went one better in the Craven at Newmarket on debut for Karl Burke; form dipped (finished only tenth) in the 2,000 Guineas and that effort leaves a dent on his profile.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(6)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

16:00 Goodwood

Indestructible

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: K R Burke

Versatile ground-wise; campaigned in Group 1 races since his Craven win, most recently fourth in the Prix Jean Prat dropped back to 7f with cheekpieces applied; has a progressive record when racing below the top level and looks interesting back down in grade.

12/1

5th

5

(9)

20th Jun 2023

Good

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Indestructible

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, prominent

40/1

10th

9

(9)

6th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:40 Newmarket

Indestructible

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: K R Burke

With Michael O'Callaghan as 2yo but raced mostly in Britain, winning a Windsor novice (good to firm) before runner-up to Chaldean in two 7f Group races; had wind surgery before debut for new yard in the Craven over C&D (good) 16 days ago, failing to settle but soon front rank and keeping on well to win; that was improved form but today's rivals demand so much more.

25/1

Form: 1-51 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Perhaps needed his reappearance run in the Craven; that defeat is flanked by impressive novice performances, latest at York (1m, good to firm; made all) where he showed a bright turn of foot to quicken clear inside the final 2f and record a very useful RPR; has style and substance (form stacks up nicely); very interesting back up in class, with further progress on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(15)

21st Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ayr

Mostabshir

9st 5lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Perhaps hasn't hit the heights his novice form threatened but he's still a smart performer and he acquitted himself with great credit in the Stewards' Cup seven weeks ago on his first crack at sprinting; travelled strongly on that occasion but just lacked a change of gear at a crucial stage and this track may prove a better fit; contender.

11/1

4th

9

(24)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Mostabshir

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Looked hot property when running away with a York novice last May (1m, good to firm) and pitched into the St James's Palace Stakes on the back of it (creditable sixth); has some solid 7f handicap form this season, including a fourth at Royal Ascot (still second with 100 yards to go); suffered a blip in the Bunbury Cup last time and now drops to 6f; not the most solid of options.

16/1

18th

2

(11)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Newmarket (July)

Mostabshir

9st 12lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Raced mainly on good/firmer; respectable fourth in the 7f handicap at Royal Ascot most recently, albeit having a better trip than some of his rivals; has not won for 14 months.

11/1

Form: 1-11 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Highly promising colt who is unbeaten in three races, latest at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) where he quickened smartly to win a conditions stakes in impressive fashion and gave the firm impression he's a top-level performer in the making; other outings came on soft/AW; pedigree suggests he'll be effective on good/faster; exciting contender, given the potential he brings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Ciceros Gift

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Didn't have the ideal set-up at Sandown (behind Zeus Olympios) on reappearance but still needs to prove the form of his 100-1 success in last year's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II (1m, good) at Ascot, where he was possibly helped by the draw, can be backed up; may be flattered by his mark.

33/1

4th

1

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Ciceros Gift

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Dual C&D winner who finished third in this race last year; returns to Sandown but may be flattered by his new rating, having been perhaps helped by the draw when registering a 100-1 success in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (good) on last appearance; needs to prove he can back up that form.

20/1

2

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:25 Ascot

Ciceros Gift

9st 6lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Having run some good races in defeat this season (including in a good-ground Group 2) he returned to winning ways in a Listed race at Sandown (1m, soft) last month; likes it there; looks opposable now back up in grade.

100/1

Form: 152-39 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Good third in the Coventry on this card last year and almost collared Chaldean in the Dewhurst having finished strongly; did well to finish third in the 2,000 Guineas on reappearance having failed to settle, received an early bump and mostly raced away from the first two (fared best of the high-drawn runners); disappointing favourite in the Irish version since but has clear possibilities if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Royal Scotsman

9st 5lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

alone against near rail, in touch with leaders, no chance with winner from over 1f out, went second final 110yds, kept on

4/1

1st

6

(5)

1st Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

14:35 Epsom

Royal Scotsman

9st 8lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Last season's 3yo campaign was cut short in June after two disappointing Group 1 performances and he was well beaten on his reappearance in the Group 1 Lockinge a fortnight ago; needs to prove he's still the force of old but he was third in last season's 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) and if tapping back into that ability he has a major shout today; versatile ground-wise.

15/2

33/1

Form: 41-345

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Bagged the Goffs Million at the Curragh last September; ran well in the 2,000 Guineas (150-1 fourth) and Irish 2,000 Guineas (16-1 fifth) last month, keeping on from rear both times; however, he looks just below the top tier and is well down the pecking order in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

(18)

14th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:55 York

Galeron

8st 11lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charles Hills

On a competitive mark on last year's best efforts but he's without a win since September 2022 and finished merely in mid-division on reappearance in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March (unseated rider on the way to post).

25/1

12th

11

(7)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Galeron

9st 3lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charles Hills

Winless since September 2022 and 0-9 last year after returning from a stint in Australia; however, last season's best efforts came over C&D, including when fifth in this (good to soft) and runner-up in October (heavy); 7lb lower than 12 months ago and Jack Callan removes valuable 5lb; each-way claims.

12/1

2nd

3

(12)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Doncaster

Galeron

9st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Charles Hills

Appears to handle any ground; on a three-year losing spell but has come down the weights and in-frame efforts over C&D and at Goodwood last month show he's down to a mark he can be competitive from.

10/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.20
Straight Forecast £5.78
Tricast £78.67
Trifecta £102.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Paddington

RP RATINGS:

Chaldean

TOPSPEED:

Isaac Shelby

NEWMARKET:

Mostabshir

LAMBOURN:

Royal Scotsman

D Express:

Mostabshir

POSTDATA:

Paddington

The Times:

Paddington

Daily Mirror:

Paddington

Daily Record:

Paddington

Telegraph:

Chaldean

The Sun:

Chaldean

The Star:

Chaldean

The Guardian:

Isaac Shelby

Daily Mail:

Isaac Shelby