This Classic winner has been dangerously overlooked at Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is fast approaching so now is a good time to take an ante-post look at Flat racing’s major summer festival. The St James’s Palace Stakes is one of the best races of the week and the three-year-old colts get a chance to establish themselves as superstar milers. One Classic winner, who is set to line up, has been dangerously overlooked in the market. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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CLAIM

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St. James’s Palace Stakes

Henri Matisse (9/2, bet365) represents the all-conquering Aidan O’Brien yard and has to have a better chance than his current odds suggest. The son of Wootton Bassett made the perfect start to the season at the Curragh in March and the stable really wasn’t in good form at the time.

That Group 3 success over 7f set him up perfectly for a tilt at the French Guineas and Ryan Moore provided another masterclass to deliver him to the front as late as possible. It’s worth noting that the form is working out well, especially as stablemate Camille Pissarro could only manage third but went on to win the Prix du Jockey Club next time.

Impressive Irish 2000 Guineas winner Field Of Gold heads the field, and you can see why, but Henri Matisse isn’t as far away from him as the prices suggest. If O’Brien’s colt was half his current price, it would be hard to protest and his trainer has won the race nine times before.

A fast run mile should suit Henri Matisse down to the ground, as Ryan Moore can deliver him late. This horse doesn’t do a lot in front so patient tactics are an absolute must. Running a pacemaker could be a good idea, especially if connections are concerned about a lack of early speed.

16:20

Ascot

Henri Matisse

Analysis

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18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply.

CLAIM

Get £40 In Free Bets + Money Back If 2nd At Royal Ascot

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. £40 in FREE Bets (FB) as £30 in sports bets & a £10 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept £10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable £100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply.