Royal Ascot Ante-Post Selections - St James's Palace Stakes

The first and the shorter of the two prices for the Group One on the opening day of the meeting is the Charles Hills trained Cicero's Gift who could turn out to be a superstar.

The three year old was first seen as a juvenile when winning by close to three lengths at Newbury over a mile on soft ground seeing off the well bred Rajashtan.

Put away for his three year old campaign this term, he returned at Wolverhampton under a penalty when again showing a great attitude over 8.5f to beat the Harry Eustace trained Docklands.

Last seen back on turf at Goodwood over a mile he put up a career best effort to beat the Listed Feilden Stakes second Kolsai by close to six lengths.

Constantly progressing and assured to stay the stiff mile at Royal Ascot, his trainer has targeted him at this race all season and although untried in Group One company, he looks the type to step up to the test.

At a bigger price for the John & Thady Gosden team is Mostabshir who looks a top talent for Shadwell Estate who looks a horse with a serious amount of pace.

Making one of the most taking two year old debuts seen last year at Kempton when bolting up by four lengths over a mile, he was always set for a big three year old campaign.

He returned this term in tough company when only fifth in the Group Three Craven Mile, with the hot test maybe coming slightly too soon in his career when only fifth of seven.

Returned to calmer waters at York when last seen in the Darley Novice Stakes, he still took on a good field of Ziryab, Kathab and New Business and under a superb ride from the front by William Buick, he went on to bolt up by five lengths.

What was interesting that day was he was giving away 6lb to the field but won as easy as you like with the key to him being good to firm ground.

This is a more risky selection with him also being touted for the Group Three Jersey Stakes and if the ground did turn soft come the race, but if going for this race currently at a double figure price he looks interesting for a team that have won two of the last five renewals.