Winners of Irish, British and French 1,000 Guineas set for epic clash

4.20 Ascot
Coronation Stakes (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo | fillies | ITV/RUK

Alpha Centauri looking out of this world

Alpha Centauri came to Royal Ascot last year as a big filly with a big reputation, only to lose out narrowly to Different League in the Albany Stakes.

She returns today having landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month and trainer Jessica Harrington reports the Niarchos family’s filly in "great shape" for her Coronation Stakes assignment.

Harrington said: “Alpha Centauri had to dig deep to win the Irish Guineas but I’m pleased to say she has put on the bit of weight she lost and she looks in great shape. Fast ground seems to be the key to her.

“We’re very happy with her and looking forward to the race.”

At the Curragh, the daughter of Mastercraftsman asserted inside the final furlong to beat Could It Be Love, who ran third in the Jersey Stakes on Wednesday, by one and three-quarter lengths.

Success for Colm O’Donoghue’s mount would be a third in the race for her owners, whose colours were carried to victory by Magic Of Life (1988) and Chimes Of Freedom (1990).

Pros Fulfilled her potential by winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas and every chance there will be more to come

Cons Most disappointing effort came on her only start on a turning track (Leopardstown)

Clemmie expected to progress

Aidan O’Brien, who has sent out three winners of this event – most recently Winter a year ago and previously Sophisticat (2002) and Lillie Langtry (2010), is represented by Clemmie, who was favourite for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas before meeting with a setback.

She finished only ninth on her reappearance in the Irish Guineas last month and, while O’Brien is expecting her to improve on that effort, he warned on Thursday that she will again come on from this race.

Clemmie: bold show expected from trainer Aidan O'BrienCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He said: “Clemmie is a filly we’ve always liked a lot and she did very well last season. We knew she was going to badly need the run at the Curragh where she got very tired.

“She has done well since and has improved, but she mightn’t be quite there just yet. Whatever happens in the Coronation, and we’re hoping she runs a good race, she's going to come on a good bit for the run.”

Pros Very smart form at two – winning at Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 level

Cons Has plenty to find on Irish Guineas form. Didn't race beyond six furlongs last year and trainer expects there will be better to come

Brook out to prove Newmarket no fluke

The British 1,000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook takes on the winners of the French and Irish equivalents in this battle of the Classic heroines.

The Richard Hannon-trained Billesdon Brook was a shock 66-1 winner at Newmarket, where she beat subsequent Prix de Diane winner Laurens, giving the form a robust look.

Billesdon Brook winning the 1,000 Guineas at NewmarketCredit: Mark Cranham

Newmarket was a first Classic win for jockey Sean Levey, who is confident Billesdon Brook will prove that surprise win was no one-off fluke.

“It’s going to be very exciting with three Guineas’ winners in the race but, as far as I’m concerned, the English Guineas – both the 2,000 and 1,000 – has always been the best form going forwards and so I’m not too worried how the Irish and French races panned out,” he told British Champions Series.

“She’s got plenty of experience, she’s fit and she looks great. Touch wood, she’s always been a sound, straightforward filly and there have been no hiccups since Newmarket. She’s 100 per cent.”

Richard Hannon also saddles Anna Nerium, who was seventh in the Guineas and second behind Wilamina in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes on Derby day.

Pros Was a shock winner of the 1,000 Guineas but that form has a solid look to it now

Cons However solid the form, she has only reached that level once and so there is a nagging doubt about whether she can repeat the performance in her toughest race yet

Simcock's Teppal in 'great order'

In the summit of the three Guineas winners, Teppal arrives with the fewest miles on the clock and, with her tall frame, is open to another step forward from her narrow Longchamp success on what will only be her fourth career start.

David Simcock put the unbeaten daughter of Camacho away last September after two wins in novice company, resisting the temptation to aim for Group success at two.

Teppal repaid that patience with a thoroughly professional display in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, jumping smartly and settling on the shoulder of the leaders for Olivier Peslier, before being launched for what proved to be the decisive challenge a furlong and a half out.

Teppal (blue): puts her unbeaten record on the lineCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Initial reactions that she might have enjoyed the run of the race in comparison to the fast-finishing Coeur De Beaute and Wind Chimes were quickly revised on repeat viewing, since Peslier had to wait patiently for a gap as those in behind began their runs.

Simcock said: “She's in great order and, although the ground will be quicker than anything she has run on before, she's a good-actioned filly and I’m hopeful she’ll handle that. We’ve got to improve and the handicapper believes we need to progress 7lb to match the Irish form, so that's where we’re at.

“You’d love to think that there’s natural improvement to come with racing experience. It's very open and great to have the three Guineas winners running, as well as some intriguing horses. It’s not just about those three and both Sir Michael’s filly [Veracious] and Mark Johnston’s filly [Threading] are very interesting.”

Pros Classic winner with a fine turn of foot, who has only run three times and has the physique to keep progressing

Cons Has little to spare over the re-opposing Coeur De Beaute and Capla Temptress

What the rest say

Mick Channon, trainer of Adorable
She's got to step up to compete with Classic winners but we think she is a very nicely filly. Like everyone, we probably could've done with a bit of rain. Silvestre the king is taking the ride, so we're very hopeful.

John Gosden, trainer of Aim Of Artemis
She was bought for the Godolphin stud operation from the Ballymacoll dispersal and that's very much where her future lies. The plan is to get some black type but her draw in stall 13 is a negative on the round course. If she could get third we'd be delighted.

Marco Botti, trainer of Capla Temptress
She ran very well in the French 1,000 Guineas. She's come on since she ran so we're quite pleased, she's got a good draw and the ground shouldn't be an issue. I'm looking forward to seeing her back in action and fingers crossed she runs a good race.

Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez, trainer of Coeur De Beaute
She finished off her race really well at Longchamp and banished our fears over getting the trip in the Poule d'Essai. Ascot is stiffer than Longchamp and so we'll see. She's drawn wide again but I think, with pace on, that isn't too problematic there. The filly is very well and, although it's a tough race, I'm hoping for a good run.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to father Mark, trainer of Threading
It's easy to pick holes in the form of her York win, but the manner of it was very impressive and William felt she was up to this sort of level, although this is one of the week's deeper Group 1s. Fingers crossed she'll go well.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owner of Veracious
She's a filly with a terrific amount of ability. We were disappointed she couldn't run in the Guineas, she was second favourite for that so is highly-regarded. It's a very tough race, however we think she's over the little setback she had before the Guineas and while it has been a little bit of a rush to get her here, she has handled all the work she has had to do and hopefully she'll run respectably

Andrew Balding, trainer of Whitefountainfairy
There's a slight question mark on the ground as all her better form has been with slight give in the ground, but she's in fine fettle and obviously the form of her Goodwood run last year [second behind Billesdon Brook] puts her in the picture. I think she's overpriced and if she's effective on the fast ground, she'll run well.

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