The strength of this season’s Guineas form will be tested when the winners of the English, Irish and French races line-up in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
Notable Speech defeated Rosallion at Newmarket, but the latter regained the winning thread when outbattling stablemate Haatem in the Irish equivalent.
Metropolitan adds further intrigue to this hugely competitive one-mile contest having triumphed in the French version of the Guineas.
Intriguingly, only one of the past 12 winners of the English 2000 Guineas have won the St James’s Palace Stakes, which is a worry for Notable Speech supporters.
Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten colt is priced at 6/4 on betting apps to maintain his record, but other recent trends place a question mark against his chances.
Ten of the last 12 winners had their last run within the last 26 days, but Notable Speech has not run since claiming victory at Newmarket.
By contrast, Rosallion’s victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas came within that timeframe – a factor which makes him the value bet at 7/2.
Trainer Richard Hannon believes the round mile at Ascot will suit his horse more than Notable Speech and is confident he will turn the tables.
Metropolitan, Henry Longfellow and Darlinghurst add further spice to the contest, while none of the outsiders can be ruled out with any confidence.
