Coroebus the star act on day one of Royal Ascot

Coroebus looks to consolidate his position as Europe’s top three-year-old miler in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes, with Real World, Man Of Promise and Lazuli also chasing G1 honours on the opening day of Royal Ascot, Tuesday, 14 June. Dubawi homebred Coroebus bids to follow up a sensational victory on his seasonal return in Newmarket’s G1 2,000 Guineas, in which he stayed on powerfully to beat stable-mate Native Trail by three-quarters of a length. That Classic success followed a highly promising juvenile campaign for the Charlie Appleby-trained colt that yielded further Newmarket victories in a novice race and the G3 Emirates Autumn Stakes. Charlie Appleby said: “It was always the plan to head straight here after the Guineas with Coroebus. His preparation has gone well and he is the Classic winner they all have to beat. We are happy with his draw in stall two and he heads to Ascot in good form.” Real World returns to Ascot’s straight mile for the G1 Queen Anne Stakes having stormed to a decisive victory over the course and distance in the Royal Hunt Cup 12 months ago, a win that kickstarted an unbeaten European season for the Dark Angel entire. After ending his campaign with success in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein, Real World easily took the G2 Zabeel Mile in Dubai before two disappointing dirt appearances in the G1 Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline. The five-year-old bounced back to form in the G1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on his latest start as he chased home unbeaten star Baaeed, who he faces again at Ascot. His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Real World has done well since the Lockinge and I was pleased with his most recent piece of work. He is coming up against a superstar in Baaeed again but the stiff mile at Ascot suits him well.” Man Of Promise and Lazuli face two of the world’s best sprinters, Golden Pal and Nature Strip, in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes over five furlongs. Both Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-olds enjoyed excellent starts to the year at Meydan, with Man Of Promise readily winning both the Listed Dubai Sprint and G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint before finishing third in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Lazuli filled the runner-up spot in the Dubai Sprint before showing blistering speed to gain his biggest win to date in the G2 Blue Point Sprint. Charlie Appleby said: “Man Of Promise and Lazuli both run well fresh and look to be in good shape heading into this. Man Of Promise didn’t disgrace himself in the Al Quoz Sprint and we feel the stiff five at Ascot is going to suit. “This has been the target for Lazuli since the Blue Point Sprint. He is a horse with a lot of natural pace, who looks a good, old-fashioned sprinter these days.” Two more Dubai World Cup Carnival graduates line up in the 10-furlong Listed Wolferton Stakes. Four-time Meydan winner Star Safari makes his first start for Charlie Appleby since going down by a short-head to Royal Fleet in the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes in February. Dubai Future won the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic for Saeed bin Suroor at the start of the year and has his second UK start of 2022 after coming home fourth in the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park. Charlie Appleby said: “Star Safari has been a solid campaigner in Dubai and fits the conditions of this race well. His preparation has gone nicely and he won’t look out of place in the field.” Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future is in good condition and has come on for his run at Sandown. This distance suits and he is ready to go.” Marshall Plan, a consistent performer on the All-Weather for John & Thady Gosden, steps up to two and a half miles for the Ascot Handicap, while the Charlie Appleby-trained Bandinelli looks to bounce back a rare below-par run in the 14-furlong Copper Horse Handicap.