Thady Gosden: Inspiral is ready for a race but she will improve from it

Friday: 4.20 Royal Ascot
Coronation Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo fillies | ITV/Sky

It has been a long time coming, 252 days to be precise, but the wait is finally over as Inspiral steps out on track for the first time since capping an unbeaten juvenile campaign with success in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile.

Victory at Newmarket on October 8 last year sent the Cheveley Park homebred soaring to the top of the 1,000 Guineas market, a place where she remained until April 25 when news broke that she would not be ready to contest the Newmarket Classic.

Reported to have been "slow to come to hand" in the spring, Inspiral has started to show more sparkle in her recent work, according to Thady Gosden, although the joint-trainer warned she will improve for her first run of the season.

"Inspiral has taken time to come to herself, but obviously it's a tough ask for her first start of the year as there are some decent fillies in there," said Gosden

"It can happen to some fillies in the spring hormonally. However, she has come forward recently and did a nice piece of work under Frankie Dettori on the Limekilns last Thursday. She's ready for a race, but will improve from it."

Read into that what you will, but the Gosdens have decided to bolster their hand in the race by saddling Grand Dame, the lightest-raced in the field after just two runs but already successful over course and distance when making a winning debut in April, while she went down by just a head on her only other start last month.

"Grand Dame did very well stepping up to Listed class at York last time when she was still a bit inexperienced," said Gosden. "We know she handles the track having won there on her debut. It's a tough ask, but she should give a good account of herself."

The Gosdens are chasing a third win in the race, having been successful with Fallen For You in 2012 and with Cheveley Park's Nannina in 2006.

Cachet looks to have 'stepped forward'

Whereas Inspiral has had to bide her time, Cachet has been a busy and successful girl so far this season, following up her comeback win in the Nell Gwyn with a tenacious victory in the 1,000 Guineas, and failing by just a head to add the French Guineas to her haul two weeks later.

A bulletproof front-runner who will enjoy the fast ground, it is not hard to argue that on this season's form she and not Inspiral should head the market and George Boughey, a trainer going places fast, believes she is a stronger filly heading into her fourth run of the season.

Cachet: Guineas winner will enjoy the fast groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She's in great shape and physically looks to have stepped forward again," said Boughey. "She's stronger and heavier this time around and has done well for the month between runs.

"She likes to go forward and I'm very happy she stays the mile well. In hindsight, we might have made more use of her in France but we know she stays the mile, so we'll be positive."

Boughey, who is searching for his first Royal Ascot success, added: "Inspiral is a very short price on firm ground for a filly who possibly might want ten furlongs on slower ground, but if there is any yard who can produce her right, it's the Gosdens."

'Mangoustine has everything'

Mangoustine renews rivalry with Cachet having come out on top by a head in a bobbing finish to the French 1,000 Guineas a month ago.

Trained by Mikel Delzangles and beaten just once in five starts, Mangoustine will be making her first start outside of France and will encounter ground with firm in the description for the first time.

Despite those unknowns, veteran rider Gerald Mosse believes she is tailor-made for the demands of Ascot.

"It's going to be competitive, but it’s always good to see the top fillies meet in races like the Coronation Stakes," said Mosse, speaking to Qipco British Champions Series.

"I think Royal Ascot will suit her. English races are normally run at a good pace and I think she’ll enjoy the uphill finish and long straight. She has great acceleration."

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Discoveries
She's great. I've been thrilled with her over the last few weeks and she's really come to herself. We've been drawn out in stall ten but I'm actually happy with that as she'll get a bit of room. I'm very hopeful she'll run a big race.

Colin Keane, rider of Honey Girl
She was third in the last trial before the Guineas. Henry de Bromhead is brilliant at campaigning these horses and he wouldn't be bringing her over for the good of her health. Hopefully she can outrun her odds.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Prosperous Voyage
It will be tough for her, but she’s the one who will be suited if it’s quick ground. We had a bit of bad luck when her trip to France for the Prix Saint-Alary had to be aborted, but she’s worked well since and we're ready to go. She’s in good shape and I’m pretty hopeful.

David Probert, rider of Sandrine
She was drawn on the outside in the Guineas, which wasn't ideal. We were trying a mile for the first time but she saw it out really well and was coming back at them at the line. I'll be riding as though she stays the trip well. She's been very relaxed in her work at home and looks like she's come on for the run in the Guineas. She's proven on the ground and is an improving type.

Graham Motion, trainer of Spendarella
The ground looks like it'll be in our favour. She's training well and this has been her target for a while. My assistant Alice Clapham seems very happy with her and that gives me confidence to think we're in a good spot. I don’t want to compare her with the other fillies I have brought over because they were really good in their own right. She's less experienced than they were and hasn’t run against the likes of these horses, but she hasn’t done anything wrong.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Tenebrism
We're trying a mile with her again because we felt the Guineas was inconclusive about whether she stayed or not. She's done well since Newmarket and we're happy with her.

Friday at Royal Ascot:

2.30 Ascot: 'She's working really well and she's probably overpriced' - key Albany quotes

3.05 Ascot: 'He's in the form of his life' - analysis and quotes for the Commonwealth Cup

3.40 Ascot: Why it could pay to look past two market leaders in the Duke of Edinburgh

5.00 Ascot: 'She's been laid out for this' - the Queen's runner primed for Sandringham

5.35 Ascot: Can punters trust the quick Derby turnaround time in the King Edward VII?

6.10 Ascot: Wesley Ward: We've just been messing but now we're planning to get serious

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