Toronado on course for St James's Palace Toronado is reported to be in fine order ahead of a potential clash with Magician in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. The impressive Craven Stakes winner carried plenty of confidence going into the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but found very little once headed over a furlong from home and was subsequently found to have coughed. Connections opted to give him plenty of time rather than attempt to try and rush him back for the Investec Derby at Epsom but he is now giving his trainer all of the right signs. Richard Hannon revealed on his website, www.richardhannonracing.co.uk, that he has been delighted with the High Chaparral colt since he resumed fast work and that he is firmly on course for a potential meeting with the Irish 2000 Guineas winner Magician. Toronado, who had won all four career starts prior to Newmarket, is set to race in a special spoon-bit for the first time which connections report is often accepted better than having the tongue tied down. Toronado's expected participation at the Royal meeting has implications for another Hannon three year old with Havana Gold set to return to France for the Prix Jean Prat having been beaten by only three quarters of a length when fifth in the French Guineas last month.
