Racecards
15:45 Ascot
St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £250,000 added
- Winner: £141,925
- 2nd: £53,800
- 3rd: £26,925
- 4th: £13,425
- Form 1115-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer D M Simcock
- Jockey W Buick
held up in rear, effort over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never on terms
- Form 19-1122
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, headway to chase leader well over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 411-21
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 116
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leader approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
- Form 1111-11
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Sir H R A Cecil
- Jockey T P Queally
held up in touch, headway to chase pacemaker before halfway, led over 3f out, soon 3 lengths clear, hard ridden approaching final furlong, all out
- Form 711-431
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Y Yahagi
- Jockey Mirco Demuro
tracked clear leader, weakened over 3f out, eased
- Form 212-813
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer M Al Zarooni
- Jockey L Dettori
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
- Form 3414-28
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
led, set strong pace, soon 10 lengths clear, headed over 3f out, faded
- Form 11111-5
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 120
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
- Form 61113-2
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on well
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
The reappearance of FRANKEL has been hugely anticipated and it would be a major anti-climax if he were to be beaten here. Sir Henry Cecil's colt has yet to be tested in six starts and his mind-boggling run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket suggested he was amongst the best milers seen for a very long time. Wootton Bassett had a tremendous juvenile career which culminated in a victory over Tin Horse on soft ground in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp. The runner-up reversed the form when taking the French 2000 Guineas but Richard Fahey's colt had a rushed preparation and the Malton trainer will have been encouraged by the recent rain. Dubawi Gold, runner-up at Newmarket, occupied the same position in the Irish equivalent behind Roderic O'Connor where he wasn't given the best of rides though he was said to have changed his legs on the fast ground. He looks sure to go well and is the best each-way bet as Grand Prix Boss, already a dual Group 1 winner in Japan, doesn't appear likely to get the quick conditions he needs. Impressive German 2000 Guineas winner Excelebration may be best of the rest.
Formwatch
Dream Ahead (USA) 5-2 (9-1) Went right start, held up in touch in rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden and no impression on leaders over 1f out, soon hung left, 5th of 6, 7l behind Frankel (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Dubawi Gold 7-4fav (9-0) Restrained and held up towards rear, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden into 3rd 1f out, stayed on final furlong to 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Roderic O'Connor (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Excelebration (IRE) (9-2) won at Cologne(GER) 1m 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in May beating Gereon (9-2) by 7l, 11 ran.
Frankel 1-2fav (9-0) Made all, soon clear, increased lead halfway, ridden out, impressive, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Apr beating Dubawi Gold (9-0) by 6l, 13 ran.
Grand Prix Boss (JPN) (9-0) won at Tokyo(JPN) 1m 3yo Grp 1 fm in May, 18 ran.
Neebras (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Tazahum (8-12) at Sandown 1m Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in May.
Rerouted (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Chased winner 2f, close up, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 27l behind Frankel (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Apr.
Wootton Bassett 11-8fav (9-2) 5th of 14, 4l behind Tin Horse (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Zoffany (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, 5th for much, challenged under pressure and every chance on terms 1f out, no impression and kept on same pace well inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Bewitched (9-9) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 (1) gf in May.