St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) 1600m (12.45AM AEST)

ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES  (G1)  1600M   (12.45AM AEST)

1   BORN TO BE KING  (Storm Cat – Quarter Moon by Sadler´s Wells)
2   DELEGATOR  (Dansili – Indian Love Bird by Efisio)
3   EVASIVE  (Elusive Quality – Canda by Storm Cat)
4   INTENSE FOCUS  (Giant’s Causeway – Daneleta by Danehill)
5   LORD SHANAKILL  (Speightstown – Green Room by Theatrical)
6   MASTERCRAFTSMAN  (Danehill Dancer – Starlight Dreams by Black Tie Affair)
7   ORIZABA  (Orpen – Jus´Chillin´ by Elbio)
8   PURE POETRY  (Tagula – Express Logic by Air Express)
9   SET SAIL  (Danehill Dancer – Ahdaab by Rahy)
10  SOUL CITY  (Elusive City – Savage by Polish Patriot)

The St James’s Palace Stakes is widely considered to be Europe’s 3yo mile championship and Aidan O’Brien has dominated the race in recent years with Giant’s Causeway, Rock of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator.

The Ballydoyle conditioner can win it again on Tuesday night with Mastercraftsman who was a 2yo G1 winner of the Phoenix Stakes and National Stakes at the Curragh last year.  The chestnut colt scored an impressive four length victory last time out in the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) in heavy going and the only query is whether he can handle Royal Ascot’s must faster ground.

Mastercraftsman is by Coolmore sire Danehill Dancer and is a half-brother to US Group winner Genuine Devotion (Rock of Gibraltar).

Delegator defeated the favourite the last time they met at Newmarket.  He was second to Sea the Stars in the English 2000 Guineas (G1) while Mastercraftsman was back in fifth place.

“Delegator has been working very well in his build-up for this race and he is in great form,” trainer Brian Meehan added.  “The Guineas at Newmarket told us he is a high-class horse and he must have a great chance on that form.”

The Jim Bolger trained Intense Focus won the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) at Newmarket in October and he will race second-up at Royal Ascot.  His only run this campaign came at Leopardstown in March when he was runner-up in Irish 2000 Guineas Trial (G3).

TIPS:  1 MASTERCRAFTSMAN,   2. DELEGATOR,   3 INTENSE FOCUS 

BETTING;  4/5 Mastercraftsman,  4/1 Delegator,  5/1 Evasive,  10/1 Intense Focus,  20/1 Soul City,  25/1 Lord Shanakill,  25/1 Orizaba,  50/1 Pure Poetry,  66/1 Set Sail , 150/1 Born To Be King.