3 minute read

Leading fillies take centre stage in the Coronation Stakes on day four of Royal Ascot, but the weather continues to be key.

The two bookie chappies I'm sharing a cottage with for Royal Ascot this year keep uttering four simple words as they count their winnings.

"Late change of ground" is the mantra in question and, with further rain probable, things don't get any more simple as the week rolls on.

With that in mind, there could be value among the longer priced runners in the Coronation Stakes at 15:45 and Immortal Verse and Claiomh Solais might just be under rated at double figure prices for different reasons.

Immortal Verse was set a hopeless task from the rear in a tactical French 1000 Guineas but showed a smart turn of foot to record a career best effort at Chantilly last time and will have no problem handling the ground. Add in the presence of the superb Gerald Mosse on top and she could be a live one here.

Claiomh Solais is no star on the basis of what she's shown thus far, but she's progressing in typical Jim Bolger fashion judging by her front-running fourth in the Irish Guineas and, on that form, she isn't far behind the favourite Together.

Expect her to be bang on the speed from the start. And the way she kept battling at the Curragh gives her definite back to lay potential.

Fashion followers may have been cursing the rain over the last two days, but John Gosden will be delighted given that his leading King Edward VII Stakes contender Nathaniel looks sure to relish softish conditions.

Regular readers will recall I was keen on this powerful colt for the Derby, only to see him withdrawn when the clouds stayed away from Epsom. However, Nathaniel was paid a handsome compliment in his absence there when Treasure Beach - the horse who edged him out in the Chester Vase - was beaten only a head by Pour Moi.

This Group 2 contest looks well up to scratch, with World Domination and the hugely likeable Glen's Diamond deserving plenty of respect, but Nathaniel looks made for a test like this and is bound to go close.

Last but not least on day four, a positive word for Teolane in the Albany Stakes at 14:30. Jim Bolger knows exactly what is required to win this and Teolane looks another of those hungry gallopers he specialises in.

She's proven over seven furlongs, which is an added plus if the rains come again, and her proven stamina could be crucial late on in a bid to thwart the fancied American raider Judy The Beauty..