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Exciting star Homeless Songs on course for Coronation clash with Inspiral

Homeless Songs and Dermot Weld after the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas
Homeless Songs: Irish 1,000 Guineas reported in top form for Coronation StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Dermot Weld has said Homeless Songs, now the highest-rated three-year-old in Ireland, is on course for the Coronation Stakes in which she could clash with the unbeaten Inspiral as well as 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet in what promises to be one of the highlights of Royal Ascot.

Homeless Songs produced one of the most stunning performances of the Flat season at the Curragh when she bounded clear to win the Irish 1,000 Guineas by five and a half lengths.

The form of that Classic was spectacularly boosted last Friday when the runner-up Tuesday won the Oaks under Ryan Moore and Homeless Songs is now 11-10 favourite with Paddy Power to make it three from three for the season on Friday week.

Weld said: "Homeless Songs is well and the present plan is to run in the Coronation Stakes next week. Everything has gone well since she won at the Curragh and I'm quite satisfied with her."

The daughter of Frankel, who jockey Chris Hayes hailed as a "special filly" after her Curragh triumph, earned a rating of 120 following that decisive victory over Tuesday and is currently rated 5lb superior to Inspiral and 7lb clear of Cachet.

Homeless Songs is likely to be joined by last year's Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight at Royal Ascot next week as Weld is keen to have another go at the Queen Alexandra with the versatile seven-year-old.

Falcon Eight: the Chester Cup winner is the seventh foal out of Moyglare Stud Farm's wonderful producer Polished Gem
Falcon Eight: set for repeat Queen Alexandra bid at Royal AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Falcon Eight was sent off 7-4 favourite for the marathon event last year but soft ground scuppered his hopes of winning the Royal Ascot finale 12 months ago according to Weld.

The trainer said: "Falcon Eight is likely to go for the Queen Alexandra. The ground went against him in the race last year so that wasn't his true running. I thought he ran well in the Chester Cup last time given he had to carry 9st 12lb and Frankie [Dettori] thought he ran a very good race."

Falcon Eight has won five of his 15 starts and added a hurdle victory to his CV when scoring at Thurles in February. He was a close-up third in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April before finishing fifth to Cleveland in the Chester Cup last time.

He is 5-1 favourite with Paddy Power for the Queen Alexandra, with Calling The Wind and The Grand Visir next on that list at 10-1.


Coronation Stakes (Ascot, June 17)

Paddy Power: 11-10 Homeless Songs, 11-4 Inspiral, 13-2 Cachet, 7 Prosperous Voyage, 9 Mangoustine, 10 Tuesday, Spendarella, 12 bar

Queen Alexandra (Ascot, June 18)

Paddy Power: 5-1 Falcon Eight, 10 Calling The Wind, The Grand Visir, 12 Benaud, Morando 14 Bring On The Night, Coltrane, Cleveland, Stag Horn, 16 bar


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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 6 June 2022inNews

Last updated 19:47, 6 June 2022

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