By J A McGrath

Charlie Appleby’s decisiveness in withdrawing RULING COURT on Derby Day has set up an unparalleled feature attraction at one of the most attractive Royal Ascots this century.

Tuesday's Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes showcases the three best three-year-old milers in Europe: Field Of Gold and Henri Matisse v Ruling Court, with their credentials established by winning, respectively, the Irish, French and Newmarket 2000 Guineas.

Paul Lally: 
R1: 2-1-10-8 
R2: 1-7-10-9
R3: 3-7-2-9
R4: 11-8-1-7
R5: 1-4-9-8
R6: 3-2-7-9
R7: 2-3-4-1
R8: 2-7-1-3
R9: 7-6-5-8
R10: 11-12-10-2
R11: 5-13-8-6
Best Bet: R9 N7 Gentlemen Legacy
Longshot: R7 N2 Aeroinvincible
Play: R1 QQP 1-2-10

Last year’s race
Winner: Ain't Nobody
Jockey: Jamie P Spencer
Trainer: Kevin A Ryan
Owner: J Blackburn & J Matthews
Age: 2
Weight: 9st 5lbs
Starting Price: 5/1
Season Form Figures: 1
Previous Best: 1st - Class 3 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, Carlisle (May 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Doha
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Trainer: Ralph M Beckett
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing
Age: 4
Weight: 8st 11lbs
Starting Price: 10/1
Season Form Figures: 2
Previous Best: 1st - Class 5 Maiden Stakes, Windsor (October 2023)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Wild Tiger
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
Age: 5
Weight: 9st 0lbs
Starting Price: 11/2
Season Form Figures: 2411
Previous Best: 1st - Class 3 Handicap, Goodwood (May 2024)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Auguste Rodin
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: AP O'Brien
Owner: M Tabor & D Smith & Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
Age: 4
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 13/8
Season Form Figures: 02
Previous Best: 1st - Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1), Leopardstown (September 2023)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Running Lion
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Owner: Mr D P Howden
Age: 4
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 6/1
Season Form Figures: 28
Previous Best: 1st - Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies' Listed), Newmarket (May 2023)

By Paul Jones

Last year’s race
Winner: Illinois
Jockey: Ryan L Moore
Trainer: Aidan P O'Brien
Owner: Mr D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, Mr M Tabor
Age: 3
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 7/4
Season Form Figures: 32
Previous Best: 3rd - Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Group 1), Saint-Cloud (October 2023)

By Paul Jones

War Machine is a five-time winner in Australia overdue for a victory in a big-money race.

The landmark win may occur in Friday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm in Brisbane.

War Machine was the 2-1 favorite in early betting on Thursday for the $1.95 million Stradbroke Handicap, which drew a full field of 18. He merits the role of a strong favorite for consecutive wins in May after joining trainers Ben, Will, and J.D. Hayes.

Last year’s race
Winner: Leovanni
Jockey: James Doyle
Trainer: Karl R Burke
Owner: Wathnan Racing
Age: 2
Weight: 9st 2lbs
Starting Price: 22/1
Season Form Figures: 1
Previous Best: 1st - Class 5 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, Nottingham (June 2024)

By Paul Jones