Poetic Flare moves to top of three-year-old standings with Royal Ascot rout

The St James's Palace Stakes wouldn't have been the most obvious source of the performance of the week heading into Royal Ascot, but in running out a four-and-a-quarter length winner Poetic Flare produced just that with an improved Racing Post Rating of 124.

The widest margin winner of the race since it was upgraded to Group 1 status in 1988, Poetic Flare extended superiority over Lucky Vega from the 2,000 Guineas by the best part of four lengths and moves ahead of Adayar and Snowfall at the head of the three-year-olds standings.

He'll still have work to do against Palace Pier were they to meet though, with the season's leading performer not having to match his best form to land a fourth Group 1 prize in the Queen Anne Stakes. An RPR of 123+ from the Royal Ascot opener falls a few pounds shy of his best, with his peak RPR of 127 setting the standard and could potentially be improved upon given his record of eight wins from nine starts.