24 Jun 2023 - NEWS
O'BRIEN AND MOORE TAKE TOP TRAINER AND JOCKEY TITLESSt James' Palace Stakes 2016: Galileo can strike Gold for Palmer
Posted in: Royal Ascot Tips
Whilst this year’s classic crop has so far lacked the standout star we’ve become so accustomed to seeing in recent years, there's been lots of excitement, and plenty of them are in the mix for what is looking likely to be one of the most competitive Group 1 contests at the latest Royal Ascot, the St James's Palace Stakes.
It’s set to be a star studded affair on an international scale, with the winners of English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas all likely to take their chances in the race next month.
Two of them have previous too, with Galileo Gold, winner of Newmarket’s classic, looking to exact revenge upon Awtaad, who denied Galileo Gold a big double in emphatic fashion in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Further spice is added by the presence of Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner The Gurkha, who now looks likely to swerve the Derby in favour of this contest.
In terms of the Timeform Ratings, it’s difficult to split the three, with Galileo Gold sitting just 1 lb clear of the tree as things stand thanks to his performance in the 2000 Guineas, though the other two colts do have Timeform 'p's' attached to their ratings (capable of better).
Galileo Gold's defeat at the Curragh means he’s available at an attractive-looking 9/2 at the moment, which could well prove to be too big a price for a horse with just about the best form on offer in the field.
Whilst Galileo Gold represents relative new kid on the block Hugo Palmer, Awtaad is trained by Kevin Prendergast, who at 83 is one of the longest-serving trainer's in the game.
Awtaad took a big stride forward last time when beating Galileo Gold at the Curragh and could easily have more improvement in him.
The Gurkha was so impressive in winning the French Guineas at Longchamp, and currently heads the ante-post market for this race.
It was widely suspected that The Gurkha would take his chance in the Derby, but Air Force Blue’s disappointing campaign so far has opened the door to the colt, and now he looks to be Aidain O’Brien’s strongest chance of taking the spoils.
He’s an exciting prospect, but with his price being so short, it’s wise to look elsewhere, and Galileo Gold is therefore preferred for betting purposes.
Connections of Emotionless are entitled to feel aggrieved for being unable to have a tilt at the Guineas themselves, with the colt being denied a chance at the prize by a knee injury, which has ruled him out of the season so far.
Emotionless' knee injury means that he was unlikely to have given his running in the Dewhurst last season, and Charlie Appleby's runner can therefore be excused that effort.
His victory at Doncaster prior to his Dewhurst disappointment oozed with class and potential, and it's not out of the realms of possiblity that he could make his first start as a three-year-old a winning one.
However, he will be entitled to need this, and with improvement seemingly necessary if Emotionless is to trouble the current market leaders, he is best watched – but he admittedly is a fascinating candidate.
Another interesting runner is Massaat, whose second in the Guineas behind Galileo Gold shows he has plenty of potential.
He’s improving all the time as he continues to fill out his frame, and whilst it would require a big effort to take this, he looks like a Group 1 will be within his remit at some point this season and he could well go close.
Another to take from the English Guineas was Ribchester, who despite looking like he will be just short of being top class, has put in a string of smart performances in his career so far, and will be there pitching at the business end if it turns into a scrap.
The market has picked an early preference in the form of The Gurkha, and as a result the value seemingly lies with Galileo Gold, who can add a second Group 1 to his CV.
Click here to back Galileo Gold at 9/2 in the 2016 St James' Palace Stakes
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