Coconut Creme: can Haggas hopeful secure piece of family history?

Markel Height Of Fashion Stakes (Listed) | 1m2f | 3yo fillies | RUK

Amid the headlines created by Frankel's first Classic winner in Japan last weekend, it may have been lost on some that Soul Stirring was out of a Prix de Diane winner in Stacelita.

In breeding it very much takes two to tango and, while it is noteworthy that Khalid Abdullah is represented here by not one but two daughters of Frankel, this might be an appropriate juncture to mention the female side of the pedigrees among a field of seven that is long on promise but short on racecourse evidence.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mori could not boast finer credentials for Goodwood's switchback layout, not only because of Frankel's pair of Sussex Stakes strikes but also the remarkable hat-trick of Nassau victories belonging to her dam Midday, whose first foal Midterm has turned out to be a high-class performer.

Abdullah is well stocked with middle-distance fillies this spring and he is also represented by Icespire, who found herself short of room at a crucial juncture when narrowly failing at Ascot last time.

Coconut Creme also hails from a family choc full of black-type earned on the Sussex Downs, being a half-sister to 2014 Nassau winner Sultanina, and she bids to become the third generation in her family to win this particular prize.

Indian Blessing was a six-figure breeze-up purchase last May and the level of form she showed when third at Kempton in April has a more solid feel to it than most of the maiden winners represented here.

Indian Blessing got off the mark at Newcastle in NovemberCredit: John Grossick

Maidens welcome

Three of the last eight winners of this race were winning for the first time and the lack of 1s next to Gakku's name need not necessarily be a hindrance.

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Coconut Creme
She needed to improve and I think she has. Both her mother and grandmother won this race so we are trying to complete a unique hat-trick.

John Gosden, trainer of Elas Ruby and Icespire
Icespire was a bit unlucky at Ascot and should like the longer trip. She goes there in good form, as does Elas Ruby, who we know gets the trip and we hope to get some black type.

Joseph Tuite, trainer of Falcon Cliffs
We just had to miss a bit of time but she is back flying now. I'm very happy with her work and she won well enough at Lingfield so we are stepping up and having a look. In my heart of hearts I’m not sure she will win, but she could get placed and if that were the case we’d look at the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont over a mile and a half on French Derby day.

Roger Varian, trainer of Gakku
Gakku shaped promisingly on her reappearance in what looked a warm maiden full of nice pedigrees. While this is clearly a step up in grade, she doesn’t have masses to find on the bare form and I expect her to be suited by extra two furlongs. She ought to be competitive.

Ed Walker, trainer of Indian Blessing
Her form is working out well and we think an awful lot of her. The plan was to run at Newbury but the ground went against her as she needs it on top so the quicker Goodwood dries the better. She is probably better tested than most of these and it rode tacky at Kempton so hopefully this will be more suitable and she can show her true colours.