Godolphin chooses Shamardal for Ascot run

Shamardal and not Dubawi will represent Godolphin in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot at York this afternoon.

Connections had left a decision on which of their colts would go for the Group One race until they had established the ground conditions on the Knavesmire.

Dubawi, who was third in the Vodafone Derby, has shown his best form on easier ground, while Shamardal has won on a variety of surfaces.

Kerrin McEvoy will switch from Dubawi to ride Shamardal.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "It would be too firm for Dubawi. It is good to firm, and it would not suit him.

“I don’t know what we’ll do with him yet. We will go away and talk about it.”