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The 1600m Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes could be the highlight of Royal Ascot, with the heroes from all three Guineas – English, Irish and French – set to oppose for the first time on the second day of the meeting.

Ruling Court, winner of the 1600m Group 1 2000 Guineas, was expected to take his place within the line-up of the Group 1 Derby at Epsom last week and was withdrawn over ground concerns, providing a tantalising clash of Guineas winners.

In a statement on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: "We took Ruling Court out of the Derby due to the ground, and we can have no excuses with conditions at Ascot.

"It's a very good renewal of the race and the track and trip will suit. We are looking at stepping up in trip at some point, but he has done very little wrong over a mile so far."

Second to Ruling Court at Newmarket, Field Of Gold turned around his Guineas form with a resounding victory in the Irish equivalent under new jockey Colin Keane, who has since been announced as retained rider for Juddmonte. The ride of Kieran Shoemark aboard John and Thady Gosden's grey had come under scrutiny in the post-Newmarket analysis and connections will be hoping the colt can turn the tables with Ruling Court.

Representing Ireland, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Henri Matisse brings the winning form of the 1600m Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulians, where he defeated Jonquil and subsequent Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Camille Pissarro. A talented juvenile, the son of Wootton Bassett has already tasted success on the international stage, winning the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf over a mile at Del Mar in November.

The three Guineas winners will be joined by Brian Meehan's Rashabar, fourth in the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Officer, who was well beaten at the Curragh alongside the re-opposing Windlord and Gowran maiden winner First Wave.