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."