Shamardal A St James´s Possible Shamardal could replace stablemate Dubawi in next Tuesday´s St James´s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot at York should the ground be unsuitable for the Vodafone Derby third. Godolphin had planned to run their Irish 2000 Guineas winner over a mile in the Group One contest but he could miss the race if the going is too fast on the Knavesmire. His non-participation would pave the way for Shamardal to have his first British run since landing the Dewhurst Stakes last October on his final start for Mark Johnston. 'Both horses seem to have come out of their respective races really well, so, from that side of the picture, we´re quite happy,' Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford told the Racing Post. 'Obviously, now the ground is an issue, and looks like becoming a bigger issue as the hot weather continues. 'It does look like it will be summer ground at York, which you´d expect in the middle of June. We´ve got five days until the race and we´ll keep an eye on the weather. I imagine we´ll make a decision at the weekend. 'It does depend on how we think that the ground will suit, and if the going was too fast for Dubawi he´d not run. Shamardal could run providing everything is fine, but I don´t think that we can be definitive.'? PA Sport
