Racing: German 2,000 winner to test Turtle

THE Classic form of Britain, Ireland, France and Germany wil be put to the test in Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes, which promises to be the highlight of Royal Ascot. Royal Abjar, who was just as impressive in winning the German 2,000 Guineas as Turtle Island was in the Irish version at The Curragh, lays his unbeaten record on the line against Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt.

Green Tune, who narrowly beat Turtle Island in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000), and the third home in that race, Psychobabble, will also be in opposition. Grand Lodge represents the form of the Guineas at Newmarket, in which he was runner-up.

Royal Abjar spreadeagled the field in the German 2,000 at Cologne in record time. His trainer, Andreas Woehler, will fly him in on Sunday and work him on the track on Monday.

Another eagerly awaited performer on Ascot's opening day is Barathea, last year's Irish Guineas winner, who has not been seen on the track since doing best of three British runners in the Breeders' Cup Mile last November when finishing fifth. He worked well on Saturday and runs in the Queen Anne Stakes.