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Several confirmed for Royal Ascot engagements Trainer Karl Burke has given the green light for LORD SHANAKILL (Speightstown) to take his place in the line-up for the June 16 St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. The Mill Reef S. (Eng-G2) winner and Dewhurst S. (Eng-G1) runner-up disappointed when down the field in the May 2 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) at Newmarket, but his conditioner believes there were excuses for that effort. "He worked very well this morning and looks tremendous, so I'm very pleased with him," Burke said Tuesday. "We were very disappointed with his run in the Guineas, but, to be honest, I knew our fate when I went to saddle him as he looked very light in condition and a little bit over-done. He had that temperature a couple of weeks before and, in hindsight, I did too much too quickly, and completely knocked the edge off him after he missed a couple of pieces of work. He has had a short break and has recovered really well -- he looks in great shape." Burke also confirmed that Saturday's Woodcote S. winner Corporal Maddox (Royal Applause [GB]) would probably miss Royal Ascot and be aimed at the July S. (Eng-G2) at Newmarket July 9, while Ballyogan S. (Ire-G3) scorer LESSON IN HUMILITY (Mujadil) would tackle the June 20 Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1). "She's a very useful and improving filly and we'll give it a shot," Burke offered. "She certainly won't disgrace herself, and her form is stacking up." Two Thousand Guineas runner-up DELEGATOR (Dansili [GB]) could also run in the St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot, trainer Brian Meehan announced. Having finished runner-up to Sea the Stars (Cape Cross [Ire]) in the Newmarket classic, the homebred was a disappointing seventh in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at The Curragh three weeks later. "Delegator is in good shape and the St James's Palace is the obvious race for us to aim for," Meehan said. "However, we do want good ground. If conditions are not right, we will wait a couple of weeks for the July Cup (Eng-G1) at Newmarket." Trainer Henry Candy has confirmed AMOUR PROPRE (Paris House) for the June 16 King's Stand S. (Eng-G1), also at at Royal Ascot. Not seen since winning the May 2 Palace House S. (Eng-G3) at Newmarket by 2 1/2 lengths, the three-year-old is approaching the five-furlong test in prime condition. "He seems to be very well and, after Dane O'Neill rode him in a piece of work this morning, he said he's getting much more relaxed," Candy said. "When he was breaking track records last year, I said he needed it concrete, but now he will probably handle good-to-soft without ever going on soft or heavy."
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