Wootton third in St James’s Palace Stakes

Wootton made good late headway to finish third in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes over the round mile at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, 19 June.

The three-year-old colt, making his UK debut for trainer Henri-Alex Pantall after coming home fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, France, on 13 May, raced keenly in ninth of the 10 runners early on before settling better in last after the first two furlongs. 

Wootton started to take closer order for Mickael Barzalona down the inside rail in the straight and ran on strongly between horses after being switched out approaching the final furlong, edging out Tip Two Win for third near the line. 

Without Parole scored by half a length from Gustav Klimt in 1m 38.64s on good to firm turf, with a further three and a quarter lengths back to Wootton.

Henri-Alex Pantall commented: “Wootton was rather tense and too keen early on. 

“He had a few little traffic problems, but it didn’t help the way he raced.”

Mickael Barzalona said: “He did not have the best of runs in the straight. However, I would not have beaten the winner.”