FRENCH 2,000 Guineas winner Daylami was yesterday installed as favourite for a St James's Palace Stakes that has attracted the winners of four classics to Royal Ascot next Tuesday.

The Aga Khan-owned colt is 9 to 4 favourite with Ladbrokes to atone for last year's defeat to Ashkalani in the race and break Alain de Royer-Dupre's duck in England.

He is narrowly preferred to Desert King on 5 to 2, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt who clinched the Irish 2,000 Guineas for owner Michael Tabor.

Poteen, third behind Entrepreneur in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, is 4 to 1 with fifth placed Zamindar 5 to 1 and fourth placed Starborough 6 to 1.

John Gosden will saddle Mamalik, a 16 to 1 chance, who would prefer soft ground. Among the 20 to 1 outsiders is the Clive Brittain-trained Air Express, the winner of the equivalent classics in Italy and Germany.

In Command, last seen running disappointingly in the Greenham Stakes, will also begin his come-back in the St James's Palace after a bout of coughing.

Meanwhile, Irish 2,000 Guineas failure Revoque will begin his comeback in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, his owner said yesterday.