Field Of Gold on course for ’round two’ with Ruling Court

John Gosden is relishing the Royal Ascot rematch between stable star Field Of Gold and his 2000 Guineas conqueror Ruling Court in a mouthwatering St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Clarehaven hotshot suffered defeat at Newmarket to Charlie Appleby’s Justify colt – who was a late withdrawal from the Derby due to rain-softened ground – but gained Classic redemption in sublime style at the Curragh last month.

“Round two with Ruling Court is exciting and is what Royal Ascot is all about. There will be a fabulous line-up of horses in a lot of races,” said Gosden, who watched some of his team for the Royal meeting work on Newmarket’s July course on Wednesday morning.

“There was no need for him to come and have a gallop today as he’s only just run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but he’s fine and heading to the St James’s Palace.”

Having followed in the footsteps of his sire Kingman almost symmetrically to this point, Gosden is now hoping he can replicate his father once again by scoring in a blockbuster opening-day clash also contains Aidan O’Brien’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains champion Henri Matisse.

However, to do so the long-striding grey could need the draw gods to shine favourably and Gosden continued: “We will have to see how the race works out and you have to take a good look at the draw haven’t you over the mile at Ascot.

“If you’re drawn on the inside you might never see daylight and we’ll see how that draw goes and take things from there.”

Gosden, who has won the St James’s Palace Stakes three times among his 66 Royal Ascot winners, also gave his backing to Colin Keane, who was on the July course assisting in preparations after securing the prime position of Juddmonte retained jockey ahead of the summer’s showpiece meeting.

The six-time Irish champion stepped in aboard Field Of Gold when the colt scorched to Irish 2,000 Guineas glory and although it was Queen Anne Stakes hope Lead Artist instead of the his Classic hero that he partnered in Wednesday morning work, Gosden hailed the 30-year-old’s class in the saddle.

“He’s a very talented jockey and horseman and an extremely nice fellow,” explained Gosden.

“The travelling will be demanding, but I’m sure he will fit in well once he gets to know all the horses. I think if you travel regularly on Ryanair you might be seeing him. He’ll be over plenty riding work as well as at the races and he’s come over today especially.

“He’s a classy jockey and you’re not six-time Irish champion without being at the top of your game as racing over there is tough and no one gives a quarter to anyone. So to that extent he is very talented and it’s an exciting opportunity for him.”

As well as Ruling Court, Appleby has Guineas third Shadow Of Light and Opera Ballo in contention, while Juddmonte can also call on the Andrew Balding-trained pair of Jonquil and Windlord.

O’Brien also has a total of three contenders, with First Wave and Officer still in the mix alongside Henri Matisse, as Rashabar (Brian Meehan) and Scorthy Champ (Joseph O’Brien) complete the 11-strong list.