Shibboleth can prove Henry Cecil right yet again with victory in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today. The twice-raced colt is taking a step into the unknown on his first run in Group One company.

But his trainer is an expert judge of a lightly-raced three-year-old, knowing just when to step him up into the highest class.

Shibboleth can continue the trend. He looked a colt of infinite potential when winning on his debut at Newmarket in April - so much so that he was quoted as short as 8 to 1 for the 2,000 Guineas afterwards.

He bypassed the big race as it was decided to give him more time. But he sent out a warning to those who did contest the Classics with an impressive win in a Listed event at Newmarket early this month, showing a sparkling turn of speed to settle the issue in a matter of strides.

Fellow late maturer Kalanisi can also make a successful Pattern race debut in the opening Queen Anne Stakes. This Group Two event looked an obvious long-term target for the colt as he won all his three starts last season, culminating in a Listed contest at Kempton.

And he lost little in a narrow reappearance defeat by Swallow Flight at Windsor last month, where he had to come from well off the pace and was narrowly unable to catch the winner who got first run on him.

Flanders can make it two wins from three Royal Ascot appearances by lifting the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes. She looked set to spring a 33 to 1 surprise in this race 12 months ago, only to be caught close home by Mitcham.

Aimed at this race virtually ever since by her shrewd trainer, she left the strong impression she is better than ever at the age of four when overcoming trouble in running to win a minor event at Beverley last month.

Optimaite can also make a wining return to Ascot for the Queen's Vase. This two-mile contest will have been the last thing on Rod Millman's mind after his colt showed plenty of dash to make all in a five-furlong event here as a two-year-old in April of last year.

But his charge has the pedigree of a stayer and put up his best performance when winning a mile-and-half event at Salisbury last month.