St James's Palace Stakes Odds: Chaldean and Paddington set for epic Royal Ascot clash

Impressive 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean is set to lock horns with the emphatic Irish 2000 Guineas hero Paddington in a mouth-watering renewal of the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday 20th June, 2023. We take a look at the latest St James's Palace Stakes betting here and pick out some of the more fancied runners set to take their chance in the one mile contest...

A tremendous winner of the Dewhurst Stakes at the end of last season, Chaldean's three-year-old campaign got off to the worst possible start when he unshipped Frankie Dettori out the gates at the start of the Greenham Stakes, but a lack of a prep run before the 2000 Guineas didn't hinder him as he rocketed to Classic glory at Newmarket last month. Now, Andrew Balding's colt is going in search of more top-class success and is a red-hot 6/4 favourite to follow up in the St James's Palace Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot.

The Kingsclere inmate showed a fine turn of pace to beat Hi Royal comfortably in the Guineas and he sets the standard for the St James's Palace Stakes, but Aidan O'Brien, who has won this iconic race eight times will unleash Paddington, who was last seen bounding to Irish 2000 Guineas success at the Curragh. A best-priced 100/30, Paddington showed a fine turn of foot to draw two lengths clear of Cairo in the Irish Guineas and the Ballydoyle team have already indicated that the Royal meeting will be the next port of call for him providing he remains in one piece. A classy son of Siyouni, the hugely progressive colt is entitled to be prominent in the betting and should put up a notable challenge to Chaldeanm as the two Guineas hero clash in a real humdinger.

One potential unknown quantity lining up is the Charles Hills-trained Cicero's Gift, who has won all three starts to date and the son of Muharaar was last seen bounding to victory in a conditions stakes at Goodwood. A winner by five lengths that day the 9/2 shot will now make a huge step in grade to take in notable Pattern company, but has shaped like he could comfortably fight his own at the highest level and he adds a sensational piece of intrigue to the race.

Isaac Shelby capitalised on Chaldean's early mishap in the Greenham by claiming that notable event at Newbury earlier in the season and the Brian Meehan-trained raider was last seen finishing a narrow runner-up in the French Guineas and will now aim to go one better here and is available at single-figured odds, while the O'Brien charge could also unleash Cairo, who is as big as 22/1 for this event.

Of the others, Mostabshir was an impressive winner at York last time out, where he beat the smart Ziryab by five lengths and John & Thady Gosden's raider could step up to Group company for this event, while the likes of Royal Scotsman, Al Riffa and Indestructible add huge depth to the event which could be one of the highlights of the entire week.