Classic clash of the 2000 Guineas winners all set for Royal Ascot

A mouthwatering clash of 2000 Guineas winners will light up the opening day of Royal Ascot, with Ruling Court, Field Of Gold and Henri Matisse all declared for the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court got the better of John and Thady Gosden’s Field Of Gold at Newmarket, with the runner-up making no mistake subsequently at the Curragh. Henri Matisse, meanwhile, shone for Aidan O’Brien at ParisLongchamp.

O’Brien also runs First Wave and Officer, while Windlord – like Field Of Gold owned by Juddmonte – represents Andrew Balding.

Completing the seven-strong field is the Brian Meehan-trained Rashabar, who was fourth in the Irish Guineas.