St James's Palace Stakes

The betting market for the feature race on the first day at Royal Ascot 2022 is dominated by Coroebus (best price 4/5), who bids to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner and win this race following victory in the 2,000 Guineas at HQ. His performance there was exemplary as he took the scalp of the red-hot favourite and stablemate Native Trail. 

Given the latter subsequently got back to winning ways in the Irish equivalent and gave the form a tidy boost, it’s no surprise that the former is still being backed as if defeat is out of the question but I don’t think he’s as bombproof as the betting indicates at this stage. 

Charlie Appleby’s classic winner has now won three of his four starts and should have little trouble dropping back in trip for this contest as he’s showcased loads of pace and his turn of foot was certainly in evidence when beating Native Trail. 

Godolphin stablemates Native Trail and Modern Games have not been declared for the race, but William Haggas has deployed the promising Maljoom (drifting to 14/1 at the time of publish), the unbeaten three-year-old who landed the Group Two Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen at Cologne.

This son of Caravaggio only made his racecourse debut a couple of months ago but he’s going from strength-to-strength and his speed-figures back up his impressive-looking victories too. 

On the balance of what we have seen of him so far, he’s got a good turn of foot and does his best work in the latter stages so the Berkshire course should really suit this well-balanced sort. 

Meanwhile, My Prospero - the same age and with the same trainer as Maljoom - sits between Coroebus and Maljoom in the betting market at a best price 9/2 through oddschecker. 

St James’s Palace Stakes 2022 Tips

Coroebus is undoubtedly the favourite, and rightfully so, but I said in this ante-post preview that I couldn’t help but be impressed by Sheila Lavery’s NEW ENERGY at the Irish 2,000 Guineas. 

He turned in an unforeseen career-best performance to finish runner-up behind Native Trail, beaten just a length and three-quarters at the post, and has more to come.

Tipped at 33/1, which he's gone back out to today from 25s (22/1 in places), he is worth a chance from an each-way perspective – particularly with four places on offer with some bookmakers.