St James's Palace Stakes 2016

Assuming soft ground does prevail next week who will be the 'fav' and/or likeliest winner of the three above mentioned runners eg TG, A or GG?

For what it's worth I think Awtaad should be fav and I think it will be at the off. I know Hugo Palmer mentioned the ground in defeat at The Curragh but it's looking like it'll be similar next week. It was good to see them both come clear that day and GG wasn't getting any closer towards the line. Awtaad has travelled well into its races and when asked for an effort isn't that visually impresive but once it gets going it keeps up a strong pace and looks very hard to pass. It's on a very steep upward curve and who's to say it won't improve again. Even if it doesn't it has the best form. Form, Ground, possible improvement, style of racing, there's plenty to like. Why would GG turn the tables? The only obvious threat is The Gurkha. It's had three runs the first of which it was given an education of sorts and was when it went in plenty of notebooks despite the defeat. The winner that day was no world beater. It then won it's maiden next time out after making the running. It won by a wide margin but it's noticeable that all the winners that evening set out to make all on what was testing going so may be it wasn't as impressive as first impressions. Another point of note is that maiden hasn't produced any other winners. All that said it was impressive in France and could do know more. It was however a weaker race than the Irish 2000 and a common marker in First Selection says it's got something to find. It's taking a step up and Awtaads racing style suggests it's going to have to knuckle down. Awtaad is a confident choice and it the trainers of the front two were swapped so would be the prices.

Awtaad all the way for me, the soft ground is very much a bonus!!!!

I'm confident he will go off fav tomorrow as more rain is forecast here in the South East in the next 24 hours

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TRAINER Kevin Prendergast is pleased with the ground conditions at Ascot as he prepares to saddle his stable star Awtaad against fellow Classic winners Galileo Gold and The Gurkha in the St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of the Royal meeting.




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Royal Ascot Tuesday card

The eagerly-anticipated clash between Galileo Gold, who won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Awtaad, who landed the Irish equivalent at the Curragh and French 2,000 Guineas winner The Gurkha was confirmed on Sunday when all three Classic-winning colts were declared for Tuesday's race.

Regarding the going on the round course, which is decribed as good to soft, soft in places after 20mm of rain fell within the space of an hour on Friday evening, Prendergast said: "I'm very happy with what they're saying about the ground at Ascot.

"Awtaad has won on soft, yielding and good to yielding, so the ground should be perfect for him.

"He's in good shape. He did his last bit of work on Thursday and came out of it very well. I couldn't be happier with him and it's all systems go for Tuesday."

The rain is good for Awtaad but certainly not Galileo Gold and possibly inconveniences The Gurkha too. I agree and I'd not be the least surprised if Awtaad starts 'fav' tomorrow.

No excuses for Galileo Gold at the Curragh in my book; Awtaad has the proven class and experience but The Gurkha has more scope for improvement. I have Awtaad two pounds better on literal terms but The Gurkha could easily improve well past him so just can't split them. Prices seem fair to me, and both colts represent value if you see it as a two horse rface.

I'd side with The Gurkha over 10f (without Minding), but at 8f on soft ground my money is on Awtaad.

I echo most of Joe Lampton's post. I haven't seen a genuine Gp1 mile performance from any of the 3yos yet. For me, this year's Guineas was the worst in recent years. I have no doubt Galileo Gold ran below his very best at the Curragh but I still put Awtaad's win 2lbs better than the Guineas win. That said, it still wasn't great form so is vulnerable to an improver. The Gurkha is the unknown quantity but in my view the French Guineas was absolutely dire, he'll need to improve at least another 10lbs to equal Awtaad's form. Obviously he could only beat who he was up against and he did do it quite easily so I couldn't rule out him being better than the bare form. However, I reckon The Gurkha and Awtaad are the wrong way around in the market, the proven horse should clearly be the fav so at these prices Awtaad has to be the bet.

Awtaad would be the rightful 'fav' but he's not probably because The Gurkha is ATB/Moore and Awtaad is Prendergast/Hayes.

Exactly. Reverse the connections and reverse the prices. Admittedly the public bias for the O'Brien yard is for a reason. It has more experience, more strength and a better record in top races and seems more able than most to produce a horse spot on for the day that matters. Nevertheless, when a horse has more than 10lbs in hand (imo) over their runner on public form and is available at this price I'll gladly side with the smaller yard.

You know what youre going to get with Awtaad on this ground,this course.
The Gurkha has the turn of foot for French racing but Ascot is more about stamina not a pretty turn of foot.
Galileo Gold cant be ruled out.It didnt pick up on the ground in the Curragh.Seen Frankie in the past conjure up a master plan.It doesnt quicken as well on easy ground so he may well try nick this from the front.The going should be wet soft and theyll get through it rather than get stuck .

The Gurkha's (TG) participation in the French 2000G was an afterthought post the demise of AFB in the English equivalent - AFB was supposed to 'walk' it; TG's number one target was the French Derby over 10f against Almanzor.

Whoever is making the pace I think Galileo Gold (GG) will be up there or just behind with TG and Awtaad close by; the race will be in earnest come the 1.5f marker especially if GG tries to nick it. I hope the rightful winner prevails and no hard luck story.

lets go gurkha the best 3yo in the land imo . no price but he gets my vote

Well done with Profitable!

Not sure about TG being the best 3yr old in the land; if Awtaad does not win I hope TG wins for you here. Good luck!

had a chat with someone regarding coolmores lack of speed in the shed this is why the gurkha is running here . hes there best colt i think he wins well .

hmm ryan

No excuse for Awtaad, looks like he had his day at the Curragh. On this occasion I don't share the view that Moore gave his mount too much to do, he came with his run but only really started to gain when the two in front began to flatten out/weaken. Having said that, I don't think it's great form, Galileo Gold probably ran to his Guineas mark and would be no surprise to see different results in future if these horses keep meeting.

ya its no skin off my nose just a point bet  . silver concorde ,mister trader look nice prices

ahh well concy s not handled it . last hope mister trader for the money back

I think missing the break and 'tracking' the wrong horse cost TG the race; TG will get his revenge over GG in the Sussex if both run on any ground.

TG in France was probably a bit of a fluke

Great ride on the winner, not so good on the second. Don't think any of them are real top nothcers though.

The Irish 2000gns was run on heavy going according to the jocks and the time(9 secs slow).You could see Galileo Gold getting "wheelspin".Looks like GG is back on track now.Good going ideal.
Awtaad imo needs testing going.
The Gurkha  goes on any going but to my eyes looks better on a fast surface and easy tracks,as we saw in France.French style of racing suits.