Chaldean looks likely to face quicker ground in the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday 20 June.

Chaldean looks likely to face quicker ground in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday 20 June.

The Frankel colt boasts an impressive record of five wins from seven starts and is already a dual Group 1 winner with victories in last season's Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and a one- and three-quarter length success in the 2000 Guineas on soft going.

The Juddmonte owned three-year-old won three times on good ground last season including the Dewhurst victory and connections of the colt will be hoping he can handle the switch back to quicker ground after two outings on soft surfaces. Trainer Andrew Balding is looking forward to seeing his Royal Ascot contender in action. He said:

"The Classics are a big deal, particularly the Guineas. To get it early in the season is a huge effort.

"Having won the Dewhurst, you spend the whole winter with high expectations. You then get there and it was more of a relief than a feeling of ecstasy. It was a great one to get on the board and everyone was rightfully very happy with themselves.

"The St James's Palace is the intended target. Chances are he is going to have to encounter some faster ground at some stage. I haven't got a concern myself; it was quite fast when he won at York and I think at Ascot, the round track there should really play to his strengths, we're looking forward to it."

Currently, Chaldean has three entries: the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and the Leopardstown Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes in September.