12 hours ago
Royal Ascot day 4 tips: Zarigana can land Coronation Stakes
French raiders have seemingly struggled to cope with the fast ground at Royal Ascot this week but underfoot conditions should hold no fears for Zarigana and she can land the Coronation Stakes (4.20) on Friday.
A top-class juvenile last season, she suffered her only defeat when a nose second to stablemate Vertical Blue in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, when she had her head up on the line and her conqueror's head was outstretched.
Zarigana did well to collar the front-running Shes Perfect in a slowly-run race on her reappearance at Longchamp, and it was a similar story in the French 1,000 Guineas last time as she stayed on strongly to force a photo-finish with the same rival, having again been unsuited by the slow early tempo. She was awarded that classic in the stewards' room, having received a bump a furlong out and being beaten by a nose.
Most French races are run at a slow early pace and that does not suit Zarigana, who is best when held up for a late run. This contest should be truly run, with the unbeaten Falakeyah needing a good test at this trip and likely to make the early pace, alongside Aidan O'Brien's second string Exactly. That could set the race up ideally for and she can prove a cut above this field.
Oh Cecilia impressed with the way that she travelled through the race and quickened to win easily at Cork last time, beating the useful Rogue Legend in fine style. She is bred to be much more effective now that she steps up in trip and Oh Cecilia is fancied to break the hearts of fellow Irish raiders Signora and Green Sense.
After just failing to see out the mile trip when a close third in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Shadow Of Light looks the one to beat back sprinting here. A brilliant juvenile last year, landing group one wins in both the Middle Park and Dewhurst, he could be just too good for main rival Babouche. Of those at bigger prices, Sky Majesty makes some each-way appeal at 25-1. He needed the run when losing his unbeaten record at Chelmsford but he still has plenty of potential.
French Duke goes well at this track and, having been gelded since last season, he can make light of a nine-month absence. He improved on his final two starts last term, winning at Goodwood and then finishing second in a valuable handicap here. Unexposed after six starts, he looks the type to improve again this year.
Persuasive won this race in 2016 before going on to win at the highest level and her daughter, Cajole, can follow in her hoofprints. An easy winner at Newcastle, she looked set to follow up at Wolverhampton only to be collared late by the hugely exciting Nahraan. Cajole looks well treated on her handicap debut.
The unbeaten Amiloc is favourite after winning impressively at Goodwood but he might lack the class of Nightwalker. The latter was unsuited by softer ground when below par in the Derby at Epsom but he had previously shaped really well when fifth in the Dante Stakes at York — and he can return to form under ideal conditions.
Realign was beaten on both starts as a juvenile, bumping into the top-class Shadow Of Light on his debut at Newmarket and then failing to stay seven furlongs in a hot maiden at York. He could not have been more impressive when winning on his reappearance at Salisbury and could develop into a useful sprinter this season.
Royal Ascot
2.30 Oh Cecilia3.05 Shadow Of Light3.40 French Duke4.20 Zarigana (nap)5.00 Cajole5.35 Nightwalker (nb)6.10 Realign
• Rob Wright's Friday racing tips
Market Rasen
2.05 Camino Rocio2.40 Larkfield Lusive3.13 Prospect House3.50 She's Got Bottle4.25 Whistleinthedark5.05 Matoury5.45 Shutfrontdoor
Redcar
2.15 Front Gunner2.50 Bern Rossetti3.23 Marhaba Ghaiyyath4.00 Clermont Ferrand4.40 Paratrooper5.15 Big Apple Jack
Goodwood
5.20 Blue Orbit5.52 New York Minute6.30 Morcar7.03 Way Of Stars7.38 Herculeus8.13 Getreadytorumble
Newmarket
4.47 If I Could Dream5.25 Fitzmaurice5.57 King Casper6.37 I Am I Said7.15 Caffu Zafeen7.50 Soldiers Star8.25 Atlantic Sunset
