St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) (Rnd)

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 1m 38.48s

(2)

Bow Echo⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 126| D

5/6

Took his unbeaten record to 4 with a highly impressive defeat of the reopposing Gstaad in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, good to firm). That was one of the best modern-day performances in that race and he could be capable of even better. Can't oppose.

Form: 111-1

(1)

Gstaad²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120| BF| C| D

2/1

Easy winner of Coventry at this meeting last year. Second Group 1 success of career when pulling 3 lengths clear in Irish 2000 Guineas 24 days ago but he was beaten a similar margin by Bow Echo in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket prior to that. Sure to go well but his old rival looks too strong.

Form: 2221-21

(6)

Lord Britain^t²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 88

100/1

Useful effort to win 7f Kempton handicap 3 weeks ago but down the field in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket before that and out of his depth back at this level.

Form: 138-401

(5)

Power Blue²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Egan| T: Robson Aguiar| OR: 109

50/1

Smart form to win the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f) last summer but his limitations have been exposed in the Classics this spring. Got closer than at Newmarket when fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas but has 4¼ lengths to make up on Gstaad.

Form: 531-274

(4)

Puerto Rico³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| BF| D

16/1

Pair of Group 1 wins in France (7f/1m) last autumn. Respectable 1¼ lengths fourth of 13 to Rayif in French 2000 Guineas (1m, good to soft) on return last month but Gstaad looks very much the stable number one.

Form: 24111-4

(3)

Talk Of New York^h¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112| D

11/2

Highly progressive colt who has benefited from the addition of a hood and looked ready for a step up to the highest level when landing last month's listed Heron Stakes at Sandown (1m, good) by 5½ lengths. More to come but whether it's enough to seriously trouble Bow Echo is another matter.

Form: 1-311

Forecasts

Bow Echo (5/6), Gstaad (2/1), Talk Of New York (11/2), Puerto Rico (16/1), Power Blue (50/1), Lord Britain (100/1)

BOW ECHO is potentially one of the best milers of the century and can confirm his Newmarket superiority over Gstaad, who has boosted that form by comfortably winning the Irish Guineas since. The hugely exciting Talk of New York adds further lustre to what is always one of the highlights of the meeting.