16:25 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 18 June 2024

All14:3015:0515:4516:2517:0517:4018:15

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

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 1m 38.38s

(8)

Almaqam²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 112| D

14/1

Followed his ready Yarmouth maiden success by impressively winning the listed Heron Stakes at Sandown (1m, soft), drawing clear in the final 1f to score by 3¾ lengths. Could be very smart.

Form: 4-11

(6)

Alyanaabi⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 114

10/1

Won a Group 3 over 7f at Newmarket last September and 3½ lengths second to City of Troy in Dewhurst there on final 2-y-o start. Creditable fifth of 11 behind Notable Speech and Rosallion in 2000 Guineas back at Newmarket on reappearance but no reason why he'll turn the tables on that pair.

Form: 1412-5

(4)

Darlinghurst³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Soumillon| T: J Reynier| OR: 111| D

40/1

Most progressive this year, completing a 4-timer in 9f Group 3 at Chantilly 38 days ago by length from First Look. Another chunk of improvement will be needed to stretch his winning sequence to 5.

Form: 63-1111

(7)

Henry Longfellow³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF

11/2

Won all 3 starts as a juvenile, notably the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh (7f, good to soft). Not unduly punished once his chance had gone when only eighth to Metropolitain in the French 2000 Guineas on reappearance and no surprise to see him leave that run well behind now.

Form: 111-8

(2)

Metropolitan³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Alexis Pouchin| T: Mario Baratti| OR: 114| D

20/1

Only fifth in a Longchamp Group 3 on his reappearance but a totally different proposition when holding on by ½ length from Dancing Gemini in the French 2000 Guineas back there 4 weeks later. That form still leaves him with a fair bit to find with the other Guineas winners in this line-up, though.

Form: 11-51

(5)

Notable Speech⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 122| D

6/4

Didn't make his debut until January but has rapidly developed into a very smart performer, stretching his unbeaten record to 4 when proving 1½ lengths too strong for the reopposing Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. Hard to beat again with further progress likely.

Form: 1111

(1)

Rosallion²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 118| C| D

5/2

Group 1 winner over 7f at 2 and has made an excellent start at 3, chasing home Notable Speech in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before pegging back stablemate Haatem to win the Irish version at the Curragh. Looks sure to give another good account.

Form: 1131-21

(3)

Unquestionable²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| D

28/1

Chased home Rosallion in Longchamp Group 1 last October before ending his 2-y-o campaign with a win in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita (1m, firm). 6 lengths behind Rosallion when fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas on reappearance but he's entitled to strip fitter.

Form: 12421-4

Forecasts

Notable Speech (6/4), Rosallion (5/2), Henry Longfellow (11/2), Alyanaabi (10/1), Almaqam (14/1), Metropolitan (20/1), Unquestionable (28/1), Darlinghurst (40/1)

NOTABLE SPEECH looks to have all the attributes of a top-class miler, possessing both a high cruising speed and a sharp turn of foot, and can confirm his Newmarket 2000 Guineas superiority over Rosallion, who has gone on to win the Irish version. Almaqam was good in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and may prove best of the rest.