St James's Palace Stakes: Appleby bullish over 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus

Tuesday: 4.20 Royal Ascot
St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo colts | ITV/Sky

Charlie Appleby believes 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus can put up one of the most exciting performances of Royal Ascot as he bids to join an illustrious roll of honour to have completed the Newmarket Classic and St James's Palace Stakes double.

The son of Dubawi was a classy juvenile last year but took his form to a new level at the Rowley Mile when a three-quarter length winner from stablemate Native Trail, who gave the form a strong boost when winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas subsequently.

William Buick takes over from James Doyle in the saddle and Appleby is confident that Coroebus can shine once more and become the eighth horse this century to complete the 2,000 Guineas-St James's Palace double, which was done last year by Poetic Flare.

"He's the horse they've all got to beat," the trainer said. "It was always the plan to head to the St James's Palace from the Guineas and his work has been pleasing.

"Native Trail came out and won the Irish Guineas well, so it's rock-solid form and there's no getting away from him. He's the horse we're all excited to see on the first day."

For the first time in his career Coroebus will be racing away from Newmarket – having won his maiden on the July course before three runs on the Rowley Mile – and around a bend, but Appleby thinks it will play to his strengths.

He added: "I think it should suit him. He's a strong traveller and if anything from a jockeys' point of view at Newmarket, they've had to count to five before they let him make his move, whereas the turn may allow him to come behind the bridle a little bit more."

'He's getting better and better' – Haggas full of hope

William Haggas admitted Tom Marquand was scratching his head over who to choose from his two-strong team in the contest, with impressive Heron Stakes winner My Prospero and German 2,000 Guineas hero Maljoom looking to upset odds-on favourite Coroebus.

My Prospero surged into the race's reckoning following an impressive win over Reach For The Moon at Sandown last month – a victory which tempted Marquand enough to make the decision to ride the son of Iffraaj over his stablemate.

While Haggas fears the distance may be short of his optimum now, he is confident My Prospero will lay down a formidable challenge to Coroebus.

"I think Tom found it difficult to choose," he said. "My Prospero definitely needs further but I thought this was worth chancing at. He's a pretty progressive horse and one we like a lot, but I just hope he's still got the speed for the mile."

Maljoom will be the only runner in the 13-strong line-up bringing an unbeaten record into the race as well as extra added Classic spice, having made it three wins from as many starts when a dominant winner of the German 2,000 Guineas at Cologne last month.

While Stevie Donohoe was in the saddle for that successful international mission, Cieren Fallon takes over here and Haggas insists there is plenty of progress still to come from the son of Caravaggio.

He added: "Maljoom is just getting better and better. It was a career best last time in Germany because he got left early on and was in behind, so he did well to pick the leader up. He's got to go and improve again but he's definitely going the right way."

Ulysses up for mighty performance

Mighty Ulysses does not have the typical profile for a St James's Palace contender, having been defeated in handicap company last time out, but connections are confident the highly regarded three-year-old can make his presence felt against the big guns.

An impressive winner on debut and in a Newmarket novice on his penultimate start, the son of Ulysses went down narrowly in the Silver Bowl at Haydock last month, but a 9lb rise in the handicap has forced trainers John and Thady Gosden to pitch him in at the top level.

Thady Gosden said: "He got caught late at Haydock last time by a progressive horse, but he's been training well since and won't mind the ground either.

Mighty Ulysses (right) is stepping up from handicap companyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's rated 110 now and is a horse we've always liked. He has a tough, competitive race in front of him – as it always is – but he deserves to try the big jump in class."

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Aikhal
We liked him last year. He got beat at Cork but won nicely at Listowel and ran a very nice race in Newmarket and France thereafter. He had a little setback in the spring so this is his first run of the season and he should come on from the run. We always thought he would get a mile well and might even get further, so we're looking forward to seeing how he does. His form is tied in with some of the horses in the race from France and the better ground should suit him. We're hoping he runs well.

Rob Hornby, rider of Angel Bleu
It'll be my first time on him at the track, but I've ridden him in his last three pieces of work, which was nice to get a feel. He's hugely talented and had a brilliant two-year-old campaign. He's stepping back up in trip but I don't think that will be an issue, although it's a very competitive race. We have a bit of a wider draw, but I've got a couple around me that could drag me into the race which could settle him. He was a little gassy in his first run this year, which was strange because he's been really relaxed at home, so I just think it was just freshness. I'd be very encouraged that he's going to improve and I'm really looking forward to riding him.

Roger Varian, trainer of Bayside Boy
He's on a recovery mission after his French Guineas run, which was a bit of a non-event. I don't know whether he was rusty and needed it, but he was drawn very wide and Olivier [Peslier] was kind to him. He's training great and if we can put a line through that and go back to his Dewhurst third, he's entitled to run very well. I'm sure he'll get back to that level again. Coroebus will be hard to beat, but the places are up for grabs and based on his juvenile form and how he's training, I'm confident of a good run.

David Simcock, trainer of Light Infantry
He's been good since the 2,000 Guineas and we're looking forward to running him. He got a little lost four furlongs out at Newmarket but he stayed on well that day. You'd love to think there's more improvement to come from him.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Lusail
He proved he'd trained on by running a great race on his first run back in the Greenham and then followed that up with an excellent effort in the 2,000 Guineas. He's a big price and has work to do to reverse form with Coroebus, but he'll love the ground and if it stays dry, he goes there with an excellent chance.

Sheila Lavery, trainer of New Energy
It was a very good run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and we were thrilled. How much he has improved since the Curragh I don't know for sure, but I think he will come forward again. We're coming up against Charlie Appleby, William Haggas, John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien though, so it's going to be very tough.

Tuesday at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: 'He's improving all the time' - find out who reckons they can beat Baaeed

3.05 Ascot: 'I really do believe he's the real deal' - Hannon excited about Coventry chance

3.40 Ascot: Golden Pal v Nature Strip: Wesley Ward and Chris Waller on their sprint stars

5.00 Ascot: Royal Ascot or Cheltenham? It's Mullins v Elliott again in Ascot Stakes

5.35 Ascot: 'Hopefully he has a big chance' - Juan Elcano bids for a second Wolferton win

6.10 Ascot: is Aidan O'Brien's runner a handicap blot in the Copper Horse?

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