PADDINGTON can win the St James’s Palace Stakes (British Champions Series) (Colts) (4.20pm) on the opening day of Royal Ascot 2023.
Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2,000 Guineas hero can land the Group One feature on day one at the Berkshire track. Paddington can win the clash of the 2,000 Guineas winners and deny Newmarket scorer Chaldean. Unlike Chaldean – who won the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October – O’Brien’s son of Siyouni didn’t make a big mark during his juvenile career. He only won his maiden on his second start at the Curragh in October. But he has progressed rapidly this season, having scored at Naas in March before landing the Listed Tetrach Stakes at the Curragh at the start of last month. He improved again for his first start in Group One company when running out a fine winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas, beating stable-mate Cairo by a comfortable two lengths with the second, third and fourth behind Chaldean – Hi Royal, Royal Scotsman and Galeron – all further adrift than they had been at Headquarters.
Paddington should progress again from that first success at the top level and looks the one to be on. Chaldean is clearly a talented miler and it should be a excellent match-up but Paddington may just be able to come out on top with the Brian Meehan-trained Isaac Shelby looking to hold a decent each-way chance.
