MANGOUSTINE can win the battle of the Classic heroines to land the Coronation Stakes (British Champions Series) (Fillies) on the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2022.
Although impressive Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs won't be lining up due to the quick ground, Mangoustine takes on English 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet again and the talented John and Thady Gosden-trained Inspiral makes her eagerly-awaited return to action.
It still looks a high-quality renewal of the Group One mile contest and French raider Mangoustine can uphold the form with Cachet, who she just got the better of when winning the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp last month.
The Mikel Delzangles-trained daugher of Dark Angel came late and fast to collar Newmarket Guineas winner Cachet and score by a head in the French version. But she was a worthy winner and it looks hard to see George Boughey’s star filly reversing the form.
Mangoustine will surely improve for her Classic victory and French raiders have won the Group One feature recently with Ervedya (2015), Qemah (2016) and Watch Me (2019).
Delzangles only has one Royal Ascot winner to his name, thanks to Chineur’s success in the King’s Stand Stakes in 2005. But having won a first French Guineas in nine years with Mangoustine, he can end his long wait for another Royal winner with the same horse.
Haydock Park winner EL CABALLO can follow-up in the Group One Commonwealth Cup (British Champions Series) (No Geldings) (3.05pm).
Karl Burke’s three-year-old has won six of his seven career starts, the latest on Merseyside, when he impressed taking the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes from the reopposing Flaming Rib.
The Sandy Lane Stakes has been a decent guide in the seven-year history of the Commonwealth Cup and Burke won both races with Quiet Reflection in 2016.
And El Caballo, an improving six-furlong sprinter, looks just the type to emulate his predecessor and grab Group One glory at the Royal meeting.
Aidan O’Brien’s Changingoftheguard is the clear form pick in the Group Two King Edward VII Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (5.35pm), based on his Chester Vase win and his fifth to Desert Crown in the Cazoo Derby. But trainer Willie Haggas won the ‘Ascot Derby’ with Alenquer last year and he may win again with a similar type in LYSANDER.
A winner at Newcastle as a juvenile, he returned to be third – not beaten far – in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on his seasonal return. The New Approach colt should come on for that run and remains open to more improvement. He may find that to land the King Edward VII Stakes.
O’Brien, though, may have the winner in the opener, the Group Three Albany Stakes (Fillies) (2.30pm), with MEDITATE.
The No Nay Never filly has impressed, winning both her starts at the Curragh and in a Group Three at Naas and she can bring up the hat-trick.
The Charlie Hills-trained recent Newbury winner Sydneyarms Chelsea – to be ridden by Liverpool FC fan William Buick – rates the biggest danger to Meditate.
Sir Michael Stoute’s JUST FINE can win the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) (3.40pm).
He ran a fine race to be third to Gaassee at York on his seasonal return despite being slow out of the stalls. He stayed on well, although was never getting to the winner. That should have put him spot on for this and connections are hopeful he can go very close.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained FRESH HOPE can win the Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) (5pm).
The three-year-old daughter of New Approach landed a first win on her fourth career start in a seven-furlong handicap at Doncaster last time. And she can go in again under Hayley Turner.
Burke’s KORKER has a big chance of victory in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) (6.10pm).
Liverpool FC fan Burke won just the second ever running of this race last year with Significantly, and he looks to have another potential winner Korker, who has three career successes to his name most recently at York last month.
Wright Ones
ROYAL ASCOT (Day Four)
2.30pm Meditate
3.05pm El Caballo (NAP)
3.40pm Just Fine
4.20pm Mangoustine
5pm Fresh Hope
5.35pm Lysander
6.10pm Korker
