Fast finishing Lucky Vega can start Royal Ascot with a win

Lucky Vega can turn around Classic form with Poetic Flare to land the St James's Palace Stakes, one of three Group One features on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

Jessica Harrington's charge has twice finished behind the 2000 Guineas winner already this term, third at Newmarket and then fourth when Poetic Flare was a narrow second to stablemate Mac Swiney in the Irish equivalent.

Lucky Vega's class was evident last term when he won the Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh, before going on to chase home Thunder Moon in the National Stakes and narrowly give best to Supremacy in the Middle Park.

He had stamina to prove when upped to Classic company at Newmarket, but his fastfinishing half-length defeat shows the trip was no problem – and he actually looked tapped for toe at one point at the Curragh, before again staying on well to be beaten nearly five lengths.

Testing conditions would not have played to his strengths – or indeed Poetic Flare's – so quicker ground is a plus and while he has ground to find with his old rival, Lucky Vega has not got quite the same miles on the clock this term and could be fresh for the fight.

Palace Pier should get favourite backers off to a good start in the opening Queen Anne Stakes.

It is impossible to oppose John and Thady Gosden's charge, with the four-yearold having really come of age when landing the St James's

Palace last year – having had a relatively low-key start to his career.

The Kingman colt has again been in sparkling form so far in 2021, cantering home against lesser opposition in the bet365 mile at Sandown on his reappearance in April, before following up with a length-anda-half victory in the Lockinge last month.

The official margin does not do justice to the manner of his performance as Palace Pier barely hit top gear, and it would be a surprise if any of his rivals were to match up to him here.

Oxted can exploit any chinks in the armour of reigning King's Stand Stakes champion Battaash.

The favourite has suffered a well-documented delay to preparations this term – and while that could well prove absolutely no impediment, Oxted will be waiting in the wings if any weakness exists.

If Battaash returns at his very best, he will take some beating, but Oxted may be worth a small saver.