Dubai: Dubai businessman Saeed Manana’s well-populated trophy cabinet is missing a Royal Ascot prize, but that omission could be rectified on the opening day of Britain’s most famous race meeting by his star colt Night Of Thunder.

A winner of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, Night Of Thunder returns to action to contest the St James’s Palace Stakes, one of three significant Group 1 races in Tuesday’s card.

Trained by Richard Hannon, the three-year-old son of Dubawi holds strong claims to win the mile event which has attracted a strong field of 12 runners, including Kingman whom he beat by half a length in the Newmarket Classic.

The John Gosden-trained Kingman subsequently landed the Irish Guineas (G1), where he had Australia and The Grey Gatsby, winners of the English and French Derbies respectively, behind him on the occasion.

Hannon is also scheduled to run Toormore, last year’s top juvenile and Craven winner, who was a below-par seventh in the Guineas.

Ryan Moore and Kieren Fallon are in the frame to take the ride and Tim Palin, who represents owners Middleham Park Racing, said in Sportinglife: “It’s very much the plan for him to run in the St James’s Palace; it’s a pivotal race for him.

“We made some excuses for him finishing seventh in the Guineas, but the form of the race is obviously brilliant. The question we’re going to find the answer to on Tuesday is whether that is as good as he is or not.

“I’ve spoken to Richard Hannon and Hughesie [Richard Hughes] has decided he’s going to ride Night Of Thunder. Our plan B is Ryan Moore and our plan C is Kieren Fallon, so we’ll have to see what happens over the next few days,” he added.

“Toormore has had a nice break since the Guineas and I’m told he did his usual thing when he worked on Saturday. He’s not a horse who burns up the gallops, but I believe he’s in great form and I don’t think there will be any excuses this time.

“It promises to be an absolute spectacle.”

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who won the Epsom Oaks with Taghrooda earlier this month, is doubly represented by Irish 2,000 Guineas third Mustajeeb and Muwaary, who finished fourth in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1).

Meanwhile, Bow Creek, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, steps up to Group race company for the first time, while last season’ Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) scorer Outstrip represent Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby.

Aidan O’Brien, looking for his seventh St James’s Palace Stakes success, runs Dewhurst winner War Command, Michaelmas and Giovanni Boldini.

The Irish champion’s previous winners include Giant’s Causeway (2000), Black Minnaloushe (2001), Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Excellent Art (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008) and Mastercraftsman (2009).