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| Staff Writer |
Charlie Appleby-trained Coroebus, who opened his season with Classic success in the 2000 Guineas, but has only raced at Newmarket so far, leads 13 contenders for the St James’s Palace Stakes. He faces old foes including fifth Andrew Balding-trained Berkshire Shadow. Balding’s charge scored at this meeting last year wi th a brilliant run to win the Coventry Stakes handily last season.
O’Brien’s Aikhal, along with Jim Bolger’s Wexford Native and the Irish 2,000 Guineas second New Energy from Sheila Lavery’s yard, comprise the Irish challenge, with Haggas fielding two in German Guineas winner Maljoom and Heron Stakes hero My Prospero. Angel Bleu, Bayside Boy and Mighty Ulysses make up the list.
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Berkshire Shadow: After taking a maiden in decent fashion, he was then unable to get the better of Angel Bleu at Goodwood and was then well beaten by Lusail in a Gr.2 at York. His last run of the season saw him beaten by Native Trail in the Dewhurst but he shaped well enough to be 4th.
Angel Bleu: A highly tried and smart 2YO for Ralph Beckett, Angel Bleu was beaten on debut over 5 furlongs but came on bundles for the experience including a couple of runs in France where he won a brace of Gr.1 races over 7 furlongs and a mile.
Lusail: A precocious 2YO out of Mehmas, didn’t have the clearest of passages in the Guineas but ran well considering and looks a fine prospect here.
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Wexford Native: Jim Bolger’s raider Wexford Native-made his racing debut back in March and seems to be in fine form after finishing a good foruth in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Bayside Boy: Roger Varian's charge put in a strong showing in the Dewhurst but looked outpaced behind Native Trail, however, he ran on for third. Could be over ambitious here.
Coroebus: Charlie Appleby and William Buick team up here with 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus who seems to have the winning form collared.
Aikhal: Aidan O’Brien sends over Aikhal here after some decent outings as a 2YO.
Light Infantry: Only seen twice last season as a juvenile, Light Infantry scored a novice race in real fashion when scoring at York over 6 furlongs. Winning by a wide margin and quickening clear in impressive fashion. Might be out of his league here.
New Energy: Making the trip over from Ireland for Sheila Lavery, New Energy looked a decent prospect when winning his maiden over 7 furlongs last season with bundles in hand. He has shaped up well for this campaign.
Checkandchallenge: Only seen once as a 2YO, Checkandchallenge won over 7 furlongs on the all-weather at Wolverhampton narrowly and looks smart for this spectacle.
Mighty Ulysses: John and Thady Gosden’s Mighty Ulysses is clearly capable of pulling clear of the field easily.
Distance 7f 213yd (1,603 metres), Surface Turf, Track Right-handed, Qualification Three-year-old colts, Weight 9 st 0 lb, Purse £350,000 (2021),1st: £198,485
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