As a meaty Day 1 of Royal Ascot rolls on, the King’s Stand is followed swiftly by what looks to be a classic head-to-head in the St. James’s Palace Stakes.
Spurred by the departing Frankie Dettori, Chaldean will be the popular choice of many but Paddington may just spoil the party.
Fresh from Irish 2000 Guineas glory, can the 3yo give Aidan O’Brien a ninth race victory?
Going full circle?
Paddington has had a rousing eight months.
Making his debut last September, the son of Siyouni picked up his first win at the Curragh a month later over 7f to close out last term.
Staying at the same trip to begin this season, Paddington had not lost a beat over the winter, going back-to-back at Naas.
With eyes on the bigger races, victory in the Coolmore back at the beginning of May then saw his stock rise.
His value then sky-rocketed with said two-length Irish Guineas win.
Making a return to Ascot nine months on, all looks in place.
However, his debut outing on the Berkshire racecourse could still be a lingering factor.
Indeed, then fifth as the mount of Ryan Moore, it has been a flawless tale since, but Paddington does not yet have a win on home British soil – a statistic both horse, jockey and their trainer will be keen to remedy.
So is Paddington’s trip about to come full circle?
AP O’Brien knows hows to win this race and just like with the Guineas, dominates at the trip.
Circus Maximus – also ridden by Ryan Moore – brought the spoils in 2019; Paddington looks poised to deliver.
Cicero may reign on parade
Aside from the sizeable threat of 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean, Cicero’s Gift stands as perhaps the other main contender.
With an unbeaten record in three, Charlie Hills’ promising youngster has improved from debut at Newbury, to last month’s latest victory at Goodwood.
Dominant over the 1m distance, can Kieran Shoemark make the step-up in calibre in their first Grade 1 race?
The other name that could thwart Paddington is Paul and Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman.
A late money fancy in both 2000 Guineas races, the extra 3f in both proved a step too far for the green colt but will they prove learning curves?
Set to go off a fairly big price once more and though yet to truly impress at Ascot, Royal Scotsman was, however, third in last year’s Coventry.
If the market price tumbles into Tuesday, keep an eye on this spritely young thing.
