Dundonnell to tackle the stars in St James’s Palace Stakes
Published:Aidan O’Brien’s Magician has been declared along with stable companions Mars and George Vancouver for the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday. The decision follows an injury scare to his Irish 2000 Guineas winner who has been replaced as favourite for the race by Dawn Approach.
Mars finished sixth in the Guineas and the Derby and was originally destined for the 1m 2f Tercentenary Stakes. Although only sixth at Epsom, he was staying on well and was less than four lengths behind the winner at the line.
George Vancouver won at the Breeders’ Cup as a juvenile but has failed to sparkle in either the English or Irish Guineas this season. Trainer Jim Bolger made the surprise decision to run Derby failure Dawn Approach last week. The colt had gone into the Epsom classic unbeaten after an emphatic five-length victory in the Newmarket Guineas.
A final piece of work on Thursday convinced connections that Dawn Approach has suffered no ill effects from his Derby run and he has been the subject of strong market support. He will be joined by his usual pacemaker Leitir Mor.
Richard Hannon relies on Toronado who was a disappointing fourth at Newmarket. The son of High Chaparral had won all four previous starts culminating in the Craven Stakes. He is expected to put his Guineas disappointment behind him on Tuesday.
Second at Newmarket was 150-1 outsider Glory Awaits, trained by Kevin Ryan. The son of Choisir will again wear blinkers having produced a career-best effort when fitted with them for the first time in the classic.
Roger Charlton runs Dundonnell who was well beaten in the Craven but bounced back to win a Listed race at Newmarket. The form has been boosted with the third and fourth both winning next time out.
The French Guineas form is represented by the Mshawish who finished fourth to Intello. Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride the colt for trainer Mikel Delzangles.
