Could this be the race of the entire week? The English, Irish and French 2,000 Guineas winners are all on course for an epic clash in the St James’s Palace Stakes (4.20) so let’s have a look at the big three
Field Of Gold (best priced 10-11)
Highly regarded as a juvenile, winning the Solario Stakes at Ascot before the soft ground got the better of him in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. Exploded back onto the scene with an explosive victory in the Craven to shoot to the head of the 2,000 Guineas market. However that Newmarket run, when Kieran Shoemark confidently waited a few strides too many before committing him, caused a storm that ultimately led to the rider losing his role as first-choice jockey to the Gosdens.
With Colin Keane onboard, Field Of Gold rebounded in spectacular style in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and he is the one to beat on Tuesday.
Ruling Court (11-4)
The Derby’s loss is Ascot’s gain as Charlie Appleby’s late decision to swerve softening ground at Epsom means he has been rerouted to Ascot.
An electric turn of foot in the Dip and perfectly timed ride from William Buick saw him storm to victory in the 2,000 Guineas, holding off the fast-finishing Field Of Gold by half a length.
The debate has raged since then over whether he would still have won had Field Of Gold been ridden slightly differently, and this is the Frankel colt’s chance to prove the best horse did indeed win at Newmarket.
Henri Matisse (9-2)
Ran six times as a juvenile (compared to four for Field Of Gold and two for Ruling Court) and achieved more than either of his two main St James’s rivals. After winning a pair of Group 2s he came up just short in the National Stakes and was half a length behind Field Of Gold in the Lagardere when soft ground similarly did not suit.
However, he took his form to a new level when winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November and has won both of his starts this season, including the French 2,000 Guineas last time when coming from way back under Ryan Moore. The time of that was strong.
Quick ground should suit all three and none will have any problem with the trip, so there should be no excuses for any party. But who’s going to win? One man never short of an opinion or two is our deputy Ireland editor David Jennings, and we put the question to him when he sat in the Ultimate Preview Night hotseat..
No. He’s the best horse in training right now. I have a feeling he won’t be beaten again and evens is some price. Would you rather back him at evens or Zarigana at evens for the Coronation Stakes? It’s a no-brainer, surely.
More Ascot insight from David Jennings: ‘I don’t care who turns up against him, he’s winning the Wolferton and is the best bet of the meeting by a long way’
Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: John & Thady Gosden