Shaman Gets Go Ahead For Ascot

Formlines from the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas are set to be tested again at Royal Ascot next week with the news that Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal), runner up in the G1 The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains is set to take his chance in the G1 St James's Palace S. on Tuesday for trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. The colt stepped up from his juvenile form to win his first two 3-year-old starts including the G3 Prix la Force before finding only Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) too good in the French Classic. “The plan is to run and Carlos [Laffon-Parias] is very happy with the horse,” said Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to owners the Wertheimers. “We think he's a very good horse with a lot of experience, which is important when you are going to Ascot. We don't know for sure what other horses will be in the race, but our horse has the experience and the quality and we have big hopes he can run a very nice race.” Having won on both good and heavy ground this year Bureau is unconcerned over track conditions at Ascot and added, “He has shown he handles an easy track and some other horses will not, so it would not be a worry if the ground was soft. But at the same time, I don't think better ground would be a problem for him either. I think he can handle all types of ground.”