St James's Palace Stakes second Lusail for trainer Richard Hannon has now been targeted at the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Deauville after his career best effort at Royal Ascot.
A smart juvenile for Hannon landing four of his six races, including a hat-trick of wins between June and August which saw the son of Mehmas take out the Group Two July Stakes, and the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes.
Seen three times as a three year old this campaign, he made an exciting debut when second at Newbury behind the Group One winner Perfect Power.
What a finish in the St James's Palace! Coroebus is just too good and holds on to win at #RoyalAscot! pic.twitter.com/IyG1jS5LIm
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 14, 2022
Tried at a mile for the first time in his career he went on to finish a good sixth of the 15 runners in the 2000 Guineas, handling the distance and with that in mind Hannon kept him at a mile for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Written off in the betting for the race being a 28/1 shot at the off, he went from the front and ran a cracker only being beaten up the inside by now dual Group One winner Coroebus.
(Credit ATR) Hannon said:“He’s going to go to the Jean Prat in Deauville (on July 10). I’m delighted how he’s come out of the race, although he won’t go there if there’s any give in the ground. Hopefully it will be quick ground and on his last run he’ll go very well,”