The Coronation Stakes promises to be a blockbuster contest on Friday afternoon, with twelve runners looking to triumph and land the prestigious Group 1 prize. With plenty of runners to consider in a wide-open renewal, our expert editor has provided a runner-by-runner guide and gives their verdict on who will come out on top, alongside BetUK‘s exclusive Royal Ascot offer, where new customers can claim £50 In Free Bets when placing a £10 bet.
Cachet (George Boughey, James Doyle) 13/2
Has proved to be a smart filly for connections, and provided George Boughey with his first Classic success when making all of the running under a fine ride from James Doyle to prevail in this season’s 1000 Guineas (Prosperous Voyage in second). Unable to land the French equivalent at Longchamp last month but still ran a tremendous race when finishing a head second behind Mangoustine. At home on good to firm ground and as tough as they come, but may be vulnerable this time around.
Discoveries (Jessica Harrington, Shane Foley) 8/1
Certainly bred for the job, being closely related to previous winners Alpine Star and Alpha Centauri. Defeated the future Oaks winner Tuesday in a maiden last season at the Curragh and went on to record a notable victory when taking the Moyglare Stud Stakes on her final outing as a two-year-old. Shaped as if in need of the run when finishing seventh in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and no surprise to see Mastercraftsman filly return to form on the grandest stage of all.
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Grande Dame (John & Thady Gosden, Jamie Spencer) 16/1
Seemingly the second string of the Gosden pair, but overcame inexperience to make a winning start to life over course and distance in April. Failed to follow up at York’s Dante meeting in Listed company, but was only narrowly denied by a head from a more experienced rival. Definitely more to come on just her third start but this is a big step up in class for her and Dettori clearly favours the unbeaten and returning Inspiral.
Honey Girl (Henry de Bromhead, Colin Keane) 80/1
Four-race maiden, who has steadily improved with each start so far. Third in the Group 3 Cornelscourt Stakes at Leopardstown last month, however, that form is open to question (first and second readily beaten in the Irish 1,000 Guineas on their next start). Steps up into Group 1 company and looks set to struggle once more.
Inspiral (John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori) 9/4
Leading juvenile filly last season, landing all four starts for top connections, including the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster (beat Prosperous Voyage) and Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket (defeated Prosperous Voyage once again and subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Cachet). Not seen for 252 days after taking a while to come to hand this season, but is clearly a filly of immense potential and is the likeliest winner if ready to roll following her lengthy layoff.
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Mangoustine (M Delzangles, G Mosse) 9/1
Dark Angel filly who has only tasted defeat once in her five career starts to date. Landed a Group 3 at Chantilly on her final start as a juvenile last season before returning this campaign with a creditable third at Longchamp. Took the step up the highest level in her stride when narrowly prevailing in the French 1000 Guineas, beating Cachet by a head. Ground may be a slight concern for her on Friday but is entitled to respect given how well the French runners perform in this event (three of the last seven winners have been trained in France).
Pizza Bianca (Christophe Clement, Jose Ortiz) 16/1
Landed the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on just her third racecourse outing last November and has returned in fine form this season for Christophe Clement, finishing runner-up at Aqueduct in April before returning to winning ways at Pimlico last month. Faces a much tougher test now but is clearly a very capable filly on her day.
Prosperous Voyage (Ralph Beckett, Rob Hornby) 10/1
Admirably consistent for connections, finishing in the top three positions in six of her seven starts so far. Progressed well after her maiden victory at Epsom last season, finishing second behind Inspiral at Doncaster in Group 2 company before filling the same position behind John & Thady Gosden’s unbeaten star in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October. Ran a mighty race when hitting the crossbar once again on seasonal return in the 1000 Guineas at 33/1 behind Cachet but is likely to find one or two too strong on Friday afternoon.
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Rolling The Dice (Hilal Kobeissi, Marco Ghiani) 150/1
Rank outsider of the field but did show some promise last season, winning her maiden in good style at Newbury in July before running a creditable third behind Inspiral in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster despite racing keenly throughout. However, has failed to show any spark in her two outings this season in Listed and Group 3 events at York and Epsom and now tackles even stronger opposition.
Sandrine (Andrew Balding, David Probert) 14/1
Very smart juvenile for connections last season, winning her opening three starts including the Group 3 Albany at Royal Ascot and Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. Rounded her juvenile campaign with creditable placed efforts in the Lowther and Cheveley Park Stakes and returned this term with another solid performance in the 1000 Guineas (beaten under three lengths on her first start over the mile). Has previous course form to her name and is far from out of this for a yard that won last year’s renewal with Alcohol Free.
Spendarella (H Motion, William Buick) 12/1
American raider who has won all three of her starts so far at Gulfstream and Keeneland. Difficult to assess the strength of those opening efforts, however, she’s clearly well thought of and connections have enlisted the services of William Buick on her first start on British soil. More interesting than most in here.
Tenebrism (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 14/1
Looked like a filly to keep firmly on side when making a smart winning debut at Naas last March. Proved that was certainly no fluke when running out an impressive winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last September, sweeping to the front in impressive fashion to win over the six-furlong trip. Sent off 11/4 favourite in this season’s 1000 Guineas, but ultimately disappointed and shaped like a non-stayer when trailing home in eighth. This will likely reveal more, but is very easy to back in the current betting and may be set to struggle once again.
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Coronation Stakes Verdict
All eyes will be firmly on Inspiral who missed early season targets in the 1000 Guineas and Irish equivalent but is reportedly ready for Friday’s Group 1 test as she puts her unbeaten record on the line. She could well be the class angle in here, but she is an extremely skinny price to confirm that and at the prices, it’s SANDRINE who gets the verdict. Andrew Balding’s daughter of Bobby’s Kitten was an exceptional juvenile last season and put in a huge performance when taking last season’s Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. Given it was her first run over a mile in last month’s 1000 Guineas, she saw the trip out well and wasn’t beaten far. The likes of Discoveries and Mangoustine both look capable of playing a part in the finish.
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