Chaldean remains unfazed by the prospect of fast ground conditions, says Balding

Chaldean Ready to Tackle Faster Ground at Royal Ascot

The St. James’s Palace Stakes is just around the corner, and trainer Andrew Balding has expressed no concerns about his horse Chaldean tackling faster ground this time around.

This Dewhurst and 2000 Guineas winner had already bagged one of the Classics, so Balding can approach the upcoming race with a slightly lifted pressure. Winning early in the season was indeed a huge effort for them, but they know that there are still high expectations from everyone.

A Pleasant Surprise Named Coltrane

Balding will also saddle Coltrane in another feature race – Gold Cup on Thursday. This Sagaro Stakes winner wasn’t an expensive yearling but turned out to be a bit of a star nonetheless. He looked “stone-cold useless” as a two-year-old, according to Balding himself.

However, he kept improving over time even after having setbacks during his four-year-old career. Now back stronger than ever before, Coltrane is looking impressive and ready for Gold Cup day at Ascot.

Isaac Shelby Set for Race Too

Brian Meehan’s French 2000 Guineas runner-up Isaac Shelby will also run at St James’s Palace Stakes alongside English and Irish Guineas winners Paddington and Chaldean as well as Charlie Hills’ unbeaten Cicero’s Gift lying in wait. Winner of Group Two Superlative Stakes last July started off three-year-old campaign with Greenham triumphs before being short-headed by Marhaba Ya Sanafi in France. Manton handler keen to keep him at mile distance until the St James’s Palace event but has been suggested to go for 10-furlong Coral-Eclipse at Sandown instead. Meehan said: “He is heading to Ascot and he’s in great form. We have been very happy with him. He goes to the St James’s Palace, but he won’t go to the Eclipse.

Isaac Shelby will also be running at the upcoming race as a French 2000 Guineas runner-up. The Night Of Thunder colt had begun his three-year-old campaign strong, winning by three lengths in Greenham before being short-headed by Marhaba Ya Sanafi in France.

The St. James’s Palace Stakes promises to be one of the most exciting races of this year’s Royal Ascot meeting with some top contenders vying for victory. Who do you think will come out on top?