St James’s Palace Stakes 2025 Tips: Revenge is a dish best served at 16:20

One of the Group 1 standouts of the week at the Royal meeting is the St James's Palace Stakes, run over the round mile course. It's been won in the past by the likes of Frankel, Kingman, Rock Of Gibraltar, Giant's Causeway, Brigadier Gerard and a host of other celebrated heroes; some of the greatest milers the sport has ever produced.

It's the fourth race on Tuesday's card, due off at 16:20, and it pits most notably the first two home in the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3 against each other once again. New day, different result - or more of the same?

14:30 Royal Ascot - St James's Palace Stakes

Fast Racing Results

16:20 Royal Ascot - Field Of Gold @ 4/5

I feel a little bit sorry for Betfred 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court because many judges on the day felt that with a slightly more prominent, positive ride tactically the half-length runner-up Field Of Gold would have prevailed, if narrowly.

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin provided the winner, and Team Gosden/Juddmonte Farms the runner-up. Field Of Gold promptly went to the Curragh to contest the Irish version and ran away with it in the style of a very, very smart colt.

The son of the aforementioned Kingman was deeply impressive in Ireland and I suggest Will Buick will have his hands full on the Justify colt to maintain HQ placings.

The arguably injudicious ride on the second at Newmarket cost jockey Kieran Shoemark dear, and Juddmonte now have the great six-time champion Irish jockey Colin Keane under contract. He was on board at the Curragh, and has a great ride earlier on the card today in the same iconic silks courtesy of Lead Artist.

Of their rivals, Henri Matisse won the French Guineas for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore, under a masterful effort in the plate from our former champion, but I don't see him having the acceleration to trouble Field Of Gold at the business end.

Ruling Court will again be a tough nut to crack and things might get a little claustrophobic in the short straight as they round the home turn, but Field Of Gold has gears, that priceless ally in a tight spot, and bar these three it would be a considerable shock if any of their four remaining rivals was to seriously take a hand.

The Guineas winner was all set to contest the Betfred Derby at Epsom of course just over a week ago but was withdrawn given concerns about the easing ground - and so went all hope of a Triple Crown winner taking Fred's £2million bonus. It can't be ideal that after a 1m 4f prep we return to a classic round mile against an in-form rival, but hey, you never know.

This is one to savour all right. I can see Field Of Gold taking this in impressive style and rocking up to try to do similar at Glorious Goodwood in the Sussex. We don't have long to wait now to find out if that scenario is indeed about to be put in motion.

Royal Ascot Tips from Betfred Insights.