Appleby's Coroebus Looks to Pull Off Historic Double

Charlie Appleby believes QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) hero Coroebus  can put up one of the most exciting performances of Royal Ascot as he bids to join an illustrious roll of honor to have completed the Newmarket Classic and St James's Palace Stakes (G1) double June 14.

The son of Dubawi  was a classy juvenile last year but took his form to a new level at the Rowley Mile when a three-quarter length winner from stablemate Native Trail , who gave the form a strong boost when winning the Tatersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) subsequently.

William Buick takes over from James Doyle in the saddle and Appleby is confident that Coroebus can shine once more and become the eighth horse this century to complete the Two Thousand Guineas—St James's Palace double, which was done last year by Poetic Flare .

"He's the horse they've all got to beat," Appleby said. "It was always the plan straight to head to the St James's Palace from the Guineas. His work has been more than pleasing as of late.

"Native Trail came out and won the Irish Guineas well, so it's rock-solid form and there's no getting away from him. He's the horse we're all excited to see on the first day."

For the first time in his career Coroebus will be racing away from Newmarket—having won his maiden on the July course before three runs on the Rowley Mile—and around a bend, but Appleby thinks it will play to his strengths.

He added: "I think it should suit him. He's a strong traveler and if anything from a jockeys' point of view at Newmarket, they've had to count to five before they let him make his move, whereas the turn may allow him to come behind the bridle a little bit more."

William Haggas admitted Tom Marquand was scratching his head over who to choose from his two-strong team in the contest, with impressive Coral Heron Stakes winner My Prospero  and Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German Two Thousand Guineas) (G2) victor Maljoom  looking to upset odds-on favorite Coroebus.

My Prospero surged into the race's reckoning following an impressive win over Reach For The Moon at Sandown last month—a victory that tempted Marquand enough to make the decision to ride the son of Iffraaj  over his stablemate.

While Haggas fears the distance may be short of his optimum now, he is confident My Prospero will lay down a formidable challenge to Coroebus.

"I think Tom found it difficult to choose," he said. "My Prospero definitely needs further but I thought this was worth chancing at. He's a pretty progressive horse and one we like a lot, but I just hope he's still got the speed for the mile."

Maljoom will be the only runner in the 13-strong line-up bringing an unbeaten record into the race as well as extra added Classic spice, having made it three wins from as many starts when a dominant winner of the German Two Thousand Guineas at Cologne last month.

While Stevie Donohoe was in the saddle for that successful international mission, Cieren Fallon takes over here and Haggas insists there is plenty of progress still to come from the son of Caravaggio  .

He added: "Maljoom is just getting better and better. It was a career best last time in Germany because he got left early on and was in behind, so he did well to pick the leader up. He's got to go and improve again but he's definitely going the right way."