Field of Gold sparkles on opening day of Royal Ascot

Field of Gold put to bed who is the best three-year-old colt over a mile as the Irish 2000 Guineas winner eased to victory in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

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Colin Keane made light of the pressure of being recently appointed first jockey for the Saudi owners Juddmonte as he surged clear halfway down the straight on the favourite in front of packed stands on a baking hot day.

Keane's predecessor Kieran Shoemark had lost the job after what was judged, by the father and son training duo John and Thady Gosden, to be a poor ride in finishing second behind Ruling Court in the English 2000 Guineas in May.

This time round Keane made no mistake and had four lengths to spare over French 2000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse with another four lengths back to Ruling Court.

“Good horses make it easy,” said Keane.

“I do not know when three Guineas winners last clashed in this but my word he was good.”

His impressive performance came a few hours after the day’s traditional opening Royal Procession, celebrating its 200th anniversary, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the lead carriage.