Royal treat in store for Munro

Alan Munro is hoping Irish 2000 Guineas winner Araafa can follow up his success at the Curragh with victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

After finishing fourth in the Newmarket version of the race behind George Washington, the Jeremy Noseda-trained colt turned the tables on that rival with a powerful display in Ireland.

And as well as looking forward to partnering the Group One winner again, Munro is also relishing the prospect of renewing his association with last year’s Horse of The Year Sergeant Cecil.

“I’m really looking forward to Araafa and Sergeant Cecil runs in the Gold Cup - they would obviously be my best two rides of the week,” the rider said.

“I haven’t had a good opportunity to see what is in the line-up for the St James’s Palace yet but I believe Araafa will be the horse they all have to beat irrespective of whether it is fast ground or not,” Munro told At The Races.

“As he has already shown in Ireland he has lots of quality, he is a very strong horse who has bags of ability and he’s very honest.”