Romanised set for Prix Jacques le Marois after Ascot disappointment

Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Romanised is set to make his next start in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August at Deauville following a below-par effort in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.

Ken Condon's stable star could only manage a seventh-place finish behind John Gosden's Without Parole with the Irish Classic winner's underwhelming performance deemed to have been due to the good to firm ground on offer at the Berkshire venue.

"We were a little bit disappointed," said Condon. "The Curragh was lovely quick ground but there was kindness in it – you don’t tend to get that at Ascot and there was just a bit too much sting in it for him."

He added: "I'm not trying to make excuses but if you looked at it very forensically from Romanised's point of view, I just don't think he gave his running."

Romanised (hidden) is well down the field behind Without Parole in the St James's Palace StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was a surprise winner of the first Classic of the season in Ireland, finishing strongly after missing the kick, but he was unable to succeed under similar tactics in the Ascot Group 1 last Tuesday.

Condon said: "Ideally we wanted to be fifth or sixth and closer to the pace, but we were on the backfoot from the start and they don't come back to you at Ascot as they do at other places. He was on the wrong lead on the bend as well. I know I'm getting technical but all these things matter, he just wasn't comfortable.

"Shane [Foley] felt he pulled up a little short, but thankfully he's fine and he’ll resume cantering on Monday," he added. "He's just been walking and trotting since."

The Robert Ng-owned colt will now head to Deauville in August for the Prix Jacques le Marois where he could lock horns with devastatingly impressive Coronation Stakes winner Alpha Centauri.

Condon said of his 119-rated flagbearer: "We probably won't go to Goodwood, but Deauville could be his target over the straight mile, which might replicate the Curragh best – I don't think Goodwood would suit his style of running."

He added: "It'll only be the second meeting there of a month-long festival but the ground should still be nice by that stage – they never let it get firm over there."

The Ballyhea, County Cork native will move into the famous Osborne Lodge yard, which was most recently occupied by Dessie and Sandra Hughes, after November 1.

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