Guineas trio rematch in James's Palace The three first three home in the 2000 Guineas are among a nine-strong line-up for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. Makfi, Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs finished in that order at Newmarket last month and a mouthwatering rematch is in prospect. Makfi, trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, sprang a 33-1 surprise in the British Classic but has not been raced since. The other two, both trained by Richard Hannon, have covered themselves in glory. Dick Turpin, who has beaten his stablemate twice this season, went on to finish second to subsequent Prix du Jockey-Club victor Lope de Vega in the French 2000 Guineas. Canford Cliffs subsequently put up a career-best performance with a brilliant victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Aidan O'Brien bids to make a major impact in the three-year-old division by saddling three runners - Steinbeck, Beethoven and Encompassing. Alain de Royer-Dupre's Siyouni, a big disappointment in the French Guineas, also takes his chance. Pat Eddery, who won the race three times as a jockey, saddles Hearts Of Fire while there is transatlantic interest in American challenger Noble's Promise, trained by Kenneth McPeek. Makfi will be is ridden by Olivier Peslier for the first time and the jockey is expecting a big run. "I think his chances are very good. He won the Guineas. It was a bit of a surprise but it was a good win last time and the trainer is confident," he told At The Races. "The horse has been working well but now this is Ascot and he needs to confirm the form. "I hope I win the race, of course, but it is very strong and will not be easy. The horse is pretty well and I hope he can run a big race."
