Royal Ascot - Coronation Stakes

Royal Ascot (Day 4, Race 3)

Coronation Stakes (British Champions´ Series) (Group 1) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £141,925

Picks: Immortal Verse & Theyskens Theory (each/way)

Barefoot Lady: Useful 2yo & not disgraced when third and second in Group/Listed contests at backend of last year; Feisty winner of Nell Gwyn on return and further improvement when fifth in 1,000 Guineas, so admirable as her effort was at York (behind Joviality) that needs improving if she’s going to win this.

Claiomh Solais: Steady improver this year, finding it difficult to break her maiden (did so at fourth time of asking) but running career best when fourth in Irish 1,000 Guineas last time out; Should progress again (only 5 starts) and one to consider seriously.

Clinical: 7/4 favourite when making highly promising debut in 7f maiden at Doncaster, cruising up to challenge before knuckling down well to get better of Dubawi Gulf (form upheld); Unable to make impact in Sweet Solera Stakes but career best on return last time out when third to good pair of older fillies at Epsom; Despite that solid form, others are preferred

Elshabakiya: Just noted out of Listed contest by Dubawi Gold on seasonal debut but nowhere close to that form since and this flying too high.

I Love Me: Made a mark as potential group horse when coming right away to win big sales race on debut and unable to handle softer ground when fifth next time, underlining promise when mowing down Cape Dollar at finish of Rockfel (saw lots of daylight); Hasn’t necessarily built on that this year when ninth in Guineas and well beaten by Codemaster (upheld form since) and needs to find a lot more here.

Immortal Verse: Impressive winner of debut conditions race at Deauville and best of rest behind Helleborine in Prix D’Amule; Taken time to come to hand but impressive at best when winning Prix Sandringham with something to spare and has a decent shout here.

Joviality: Only lost out for lack of experience when third in Newmarket maiden and good return when only losing out to a previous winner in Naqshabban at Sandown; Just mastered Barefoot Lady in Musidora and while she has more to offer, hard to know how that relates to field here down in trip.

Maqaasid: Showed immense promise on debut and realized that very quickly when winning Queen Mary Stakes in course record time, but failed to in both the Lowther and Chevley Park Stakes (excused); Trained on in no uncertain terms this season, bettering trial third when filling same position in 1,000 Guineas (could have gotten better trip) & same story again evident when chances were put out by the draw at Longchamp;  Makes a lot of appeal but softer ground did not help her cause in Cheveley Park despite poor run, which has to be a concern.

Memory: Seemed set to be champion juvenile for most of last season, beating quality Albany field and overcoming adverse passage to take Cherry Hinton Stakes with ease; Disappointment in Moygalre Stakes (never really in it) & major temperament issue when she planted herself in stalls at Newmarket; If as good as promised she’s good enough but must prove so and behaviour a worry.

More Than Real: Had won a maiden with promise in abundance before her second to New Normal in the Natalama Stakes & deeply impressive winner at Breeders Cup, form which gives her a real shout; That last time she was seen in public and while booking of Peslier significant, has it all to prove on that basis.

Nova Hawk: Steadily progressive as a juvenile, coming runner up in pair of listed races at backend of last year; Impressive winner of Prix La Camargo on seasonal reappearance and bettered that when fourth in 1,000 Guineas last time;

Nova Hawk: Steadily progressive as a juvenile, coming runner up in pair of listed races at backend of last year (heavy ground) ; Impressive winner of Prix La Camargo on seasonal reappearance and bettered that when fourth in Newmarket/French 1,000 Guineas , although fairly beaten both times; Hard to evaluate.

Theyskens Theory: Top quality 2yo, marked down as a Guineas winner by many when drawing away for impressive win in Prestige Stakes (soft ground) before creditable efforts in defeat here (Fillies Mile) and at Breeders Cup (raced too close to hard pace); Injury problems kept her away from classics but showed she retained all ability when running out wide margin winner of Listed race under penalty and could be more coming still.

Together: One of most consistent fillies of last year, following Moyglare fourth with Fillies Mile second & although didn’t run to that form afterwards, has  found best foot when making bold bid to come second in both Guineas, form which does make her strictly the one to beat; Can make another bold bid although she has shown tendency to hang on both soft ground and is on losing run of eight.

VERDICT: The ground complicates things a lot here as some fillies’ chances would increase dramatically if the ground was to quicken. As admirable as Together is, she’s on a losing streak of eight and she tends to hang a lot on soft ground so is passed over, while Memory has to prove that she’s the real deal and cut in the ground is an unknown. The best option maybe to split stakes each/way on two fillies that will enjoy cut with IMMORTAL VERSE, who showed her true colours when winning well at Chantilly last time out, and Theysken’s Theory, who’s best win has come on cut and still holds potential to improve.