The St James´s Palace Stakes on Tuesday will see a battle between the winner of the English and Irish 2000 Guineas Henrythenavigator and Falco - the winner of the French equivalent.
Falco is bidding to become the first French trained colt since 1999 to win this race. His trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias feels that he is a very progressive colt but this is by no means a two horse race.
The Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over looked a tough nut when winning the Craven. Cecil thought he was more of a staying type and ran him in the Dante instead of the Guineas where stamina ran out. Returned to a mile he is no back number and there would certainly be no more popular winner all week.
However Henrythenavigator looks an outstanding colt and should win.
In the Kings Stand Stakes (now Group 1 status) the flying filly Fleeting Spirit will be a very warm order. She is by sire of the moment Invincible Spirit. If she runs her race it is very difficult to see anything in the field coming close.
In the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday the Luca Cumani-trained Bankable is priced as if defeat is out of the question. He has shortened even further since James Fanshawe warned that his fancied runner Artimino has suffered a setback.
Bankable was impressive at Goodwood but at around 2/1 is no value. There are plenty of each-way options including Dockofthebay and Cactus Rose who are well worth an interest.
