The main focus ahead of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday has understandably been on the head-to-head between Mother Earth and Empress Josephine, the 1,000 Guineas winners in England and Ireland respectively.
Both have obvious claims, while Pretty Gorgeous, who floundered on heavy ground behind Empress Josephine at the Curragh, will also appreciate quicker going, but Novemba, the German 1,000 Guineas winner, has crept into the race almost unnoticed.
She has very little to find with the principals on ratings, having shown much-improved form to romp away with the German Classic by seven-and-a-half lengths. Stall one is also the perfect draw for a filly who is happiest when bowling along in front.
Quick GuideGreg Wood's Friday tips
Show
Goodwood 5.40 Flaming Spear 6.15 Fozzie Bear 6.45 Rushmore 7.20 Flyin’ Solo 7.52 Four Adaay 8.25 Gustav Holst 8.55 Marsabit
Market Rasen 12.40 Family Time 1.10 Fancy Shapes 1.40 No Fixed Charges 2.15 Topkapi Star 2.50 Blood Eagle 3.25 Ballyhome 4.00 Imperial Acolyte 4.35 Landacre Bridge
Redcar 1.00 Sapphire’s Moon 1.30 Southern Voyage 2.05 Fairmac 2.40 Six Strings 3.15 Get Funky 3.50 Available Angel 4.25 Camerily Joe 4.55 Jet Set Go
Royal Ascot 2.30 Flotus 3.05 Alenquer 3.40 Jumby (nb) 4.20 Novemba (nap) 5.00 Create Belief 5.35 Scarlet Dragon 6.10 Significantly
Newmarket 5.20 Asdaa 5.50 Wink Of An Eye 6.25 Asymmetric 7.00 Piselli Molli 7.30 Bimble 8.05 Peter The Great 8.40 Liberty Bay
Royal Ascot 2.30 Flotus and Hello You were both deeply impressive on debut and are open to any amount of improvement. Experience of racing on turf, and the likelihood that she will appreciate quicker ground, just tips the balance in favour of Simon and Ed Crisford’s filly.
Royal Ascot 3.05 He has yet to race over this 12-furlong trip, but Alenquer has stout German bloodlines and in every other respect his chance leaps off the page. His win in the Sandown Classic Trial – with the subsequent Derby winner, Adayar, half a length adrift – is a long way in front of anything his seven rivals have achieved to date.
Royal Ascot 3.40 Suesa, a rare French raider this week, is rightly favourite here after a flawless four-race campaign to date, but this is a far sterner test than anything she has faced so far. At the likely odds, it may pay to chance the fast-improving Jumby at around 10-1, as the form of his handicap wins at Newmarket is rock solid and this stiff six with a frantic pace could be ideal.
Royal Ascot 5.00 As competitive as any race this week with the bookies going 10-1 the field overnight, but Johnny Murtagh’s Create Belief has a progressive profile and posted a good time when successful at the Curragh last month.
Royal Ascot 5.35 Scarlet Dragon had been off the boil for a while before Hollie Doyle steered him to victory in this race last year, and much the same is true this time around. Reunited with Doyle at a track where he goes so well, he could outrun his odds of around 16-1.
Royal Ascot 6.10 He is more exposed than quite a few of his rivals, but Significantly has a good draw near the stands rail, will appreciate the stiff finish and could prove to be a tricky horse to pass.