16:20 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 15 June 2021

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Rnd)

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 37.40s

(2)

Battleground^t1⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF| C

11/1

Won the Chesham (at this meeting) and Vintage Stakes last summer. Went off favourite for the Guineas at Newmarket on return but didn't look at home on track. Well worth another chance. Tongue tied.

Form: 5112-0

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(13)

Bullace²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 106| D

33/1

Progressive sort who was completing a hat-trick in 1m Newmarket handicap (good to firm) on reappearance. Good third behind Mostahdaf and Highland Avenue at Sandown since and not to be underestimated.

Form: 211-13

(8)

Chindit⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 113| C

11/2

Smart colt who was a Group 2 winner at 2. Made a winning return in Greenham and far form disgraced when fifth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (didn't look comfortable on the undulations). Respected.

Form: 1119-15

(12)

Highland Avenue²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| BF| D

15/2

Dubawi colt who improved another chunk when completing hat-trick in Feilden at Newmarket. Good second behind Mostahdaf in Heron Stakes at Sandown since, conceding 3 lb to winner. More to come.

Form: 2-1112

(5)

La Barrosa²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 108| C

16/1

Won 7f maiden here and Newmarket Group 3 at 2 and returned with cracking effort in Craven at latter track. Ground against him in Irish Guineas. Suspect he has more to offer, possibly a good deal.

Form: 115-26

(11)

Lucky Vega²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 117| BF

4/1

Ready winner of Group 1 at the Curragh last summer and returned with a bang when close third to Poetic Flare in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Not so good in Irish Guineas but that was on soft ground.

Form: 2152-34

(9)

Maximal⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 107| BF| D

12/1

Well-bred colt who probably hasn’t progressed as expected, but he has some useful form this season and has been shaping as if this drop back to 1m will suit. Needs to improve a fair bit, though.

Form: 2218-22

(1)

Mostahdaf²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| D

10/1

Highly progressive colt who has won all 3 starts, beating Highland Avenue by ½ length when completing hat-trick in Heron Stakes at Sandown. Yard has won this 3 times since 2014. Respected.

Form: 111

(10)

Naamoos⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110| D

20/1

Much improved when dominating handicaps at Musselburgh and Sandown both starts this season, showing smart form when winning by 6 lengths at latter track. Can progress again and worth a crack at this.

Form: 216-11

(3)

Ontario^b1⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| D

125/1

Useful colt but plenty to find at this level. Possible pacemaker.

Form: 3225-37

(7)

Poetic Flare²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 118| D

7/2

Emulated his sire with victory in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Excuses in French Guineas but quickly bounced back with narrow defeat in Irish 2000 Guineas. Tough sort and the one to beat on form.

Form: 01-1162

(6)

Thunder Moon⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

12/1

Looked potentially high-class when overcoming trouble to beat Wembley in National Stakes in September. Possible excuses when behind that rival in Dewhurst but flopped in 2000 Guineas on return.

Form: 113-0

(4)

Wembley^t1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

33/1

Smart form when runner-up in the National Stakes and Dewhurst as a 2-y-o but has disappointed in English/Irish Guineas both starts this season, so bit to prove all of a sudden. Tongue strap fitted.

Form: 2122-00

Forecasts

Poetic Flare (7/2), Lucky Vega (4/1), Chindit (11/2), Highland Avenue (15/2), Mostahdaf (10/1), Battleground (11/1), Maximal (12/1), Thunder Moon (12/1), La Barrosa (16/1), Naamoos (20/1), Wembley (33/1), Bullace (33/1), Ontario (125/1)

Last year's Chesham winner BATTLEGROUND arrives here fresher than most having not had a hard race in the 2000 Guineas, but the weight of support for him that day was telling, and this strong, lengthy colt is worth another chance at this more suitable track. Poetic Flare has been kept busy since his win in the 2000 Guineas and has the best form in the book, with Lucky Vega just behind.