Araafa Favourite For Palace Glory Irish 2000 Guineas hero Araafa is the red-hot favourite for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.The Jeremy Noseda-trained colt heads a field of 15 at the five-day stage for the one-mile contest and has been installed as the 11-8 market leader with Coral.The Group One contest has produced many high-class winners, including last year's impressive victor Shamardal, Azamour 12 months earlier and Rock of Gibraltar in 2002.Noseda's charge finished fourth in the Newmarket Guineas before turning the tables on George Washington in grand style at the Curragh three weeks later.The Newmarket handler could also be represented by Secret World, winner of the first division of the Wood Ditton at Newmarket on his only start to date.Although Aidan O'Brien will not be represented by George Washington due to injury, he could still have a possible four runners.Ivan Denisovich and Marcus Andronicus, who both showed useful form at two, could run as well as Hurricane Cat and Arabian Prince.Irish interests are bolstered by Kevin Prendergast's Decado who finished third behind Araafa at the Curragh.Nicolas Clement's French 2000 Guineas third Stormy River is 4-1 second-favourite with the Barking-based firm, while Sir Michael Stoute's recent Goodwood winner and 2000 Guineas sixth Final Verse is a 5-1 chance.Mick Channon has two possibles for a race he won with Zafeen in 2003, namely Royal Power, winner of the German 2000 Guineas, and Yasoodd, fourth at the Curragh.The field is completed by Aeroplane, Champions Gallery, Metropolitan Man and Yarqus.? PA Sport
