A LOT of the focus in the St James’s Palace Stakes will surround hot favourite Mastercraftsman and main market rival Delegator, but the one that looks to have slipped under the radar is Richard Hannon’s Soul City.

Mastercraftsman justifiably heads the betting having sluiced up in the Irish 2000 Guineas last month, but that success came in very different conditions and as he is oddson across the boards, he looks opposable.

Delegator was hugely impressive in the Craven Stakes and lost little in defeat when second to Sea The Stars in the Guineas at Newmarket, but he ran no sort of race in the Irish equivalent.

Given Soul City was third in that race on his first start of the campaign, he looks massive value at around 20- 1.

The Elusive City colt won races in Listed and Group Three company as a juvenile but his finest hour came when edging out Gan Amhras to take the Goffs Million at the Curragh.

He was beaten just over six lengths by Mastercraftsman in Ireland last time and while that will not be an easy gap to bridge, the Hannon camp seem quietly confident there is a lot more to come so Soul City looks the each-way steal in a competitive heat.

Sir Michael Stoute would not have advised Prince Khalid Abdullah to splash out a £30,000 supplementary fee if he did not think Main Aim held sterling claims in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Stoute has always thought the world of this son of Oasis Dream and while he has made his name over sprint distances to date, he can come into his own over a mile.

In both his races this season he has run right through the line suggesting a step up in trip will see him in an even better light.

Gladiatorus has an inflated rating for his Dubai success and is definitely worth taking on with Godolphin struggling for winners, while Paco Boy would prefer it a bit softer and is also a doubtful stayer on this stiff track.

Paul Cole knows how to handle top-class juveniles and No Hubris looked another nice prospect for him when winning at York on his debut.

He takes his chance in the Coventry Stakes, a race Cole has won on numerous occasions in the past but not since 1998 with Red Sea.

Mark Johnston failed to have a winner at the meeting last year but can rectify that this season with Keenes Day in the Ascot Stakes.