We’re treated to a tasty renewal of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday as three Guineas winners and the leading juvenile filly of 2017 clash in a race that should clarify the pecking order.
I’ll start with Clemmie, who trades second favourite, as vibes have not been good after injury prevented her from proving she was the right English 1000 Guineas ante-post favourite.
A wide-margin defeat to Alpha Centauri in the Irish equivalent on her comeback was far from encouraging, even if connections were very open about her badly needing the run.
She’s very good but I can’t have her at 4/1 with so many questions to answer.
Alpha Centauri looks very good and is favourite at the time of writing, but I’m simply not sure she has the best form in the race as I’m not sure she’s truly beaten an in-form Group One horse yet.
Teppal won the French 1000 Guineas in a bunched finish and the third home, Wind Chimes, let the form down in France at Group Three level last weekend, so I don’t think the French form adds up to much either.
BILLESDON BROOK caused a huge shock to land the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and did so with authority over a subsequent three-time Group One winner, Laurens, and an Oaks and Ribblesdale Stakes second Wild Illusion.
That form is bomb proof and for sure the best in the race, and 6/1 is just the wrong price.
She’s got a good draw – this race is on the round mile where that really matters – and it’s encouraging the money horse in this race, Cheveley Park’s Vecarious, is parked out wide meaning she’ll have to be very good to win from there.
On this fast ground I can’t think of any closers that have picked up enough to win from wide draws so far this week, so I think stall 11 is bad news for her chances – she’s been well found in the market now too.
There are others but this looks a simple case of backing the best form line at a generous price, rather than looking for something fancy.
1pt win Billesdon Brook @6/1, 16:20 Royal Ascot, Friday
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