Trio of Guineas Winners to Meet in Coronation Stakes

A trio of Guineas winners clash at Royal Ascot June 22, as Alpha Centauri, Billesdon Brook, and Teppal lock horns in the one-mile Coronation Stakes (G1).

Alpha Centauri won the Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) at the Curragh last time, to give Jessica Harrington a first classic and the Irish trainer is now hoping the filly can add a first Royal Ascot success to an illustrious track record, both on the flat and over jumps. The daughter of Mastercraftsman ran a close second in the Albany Stakes (G3) at this meeting last year and will be partnered by regular partner Colm O'Donoghue.

"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," said Harrington. "Fast ground seems to be the key to her. We're very happy with her and looking forward to the race."

Billsedon Brook caused a huge shock when taking down the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) at Newmarket at odds of 66-1 and is out to show that was no fluke. Sean Levey rides the Champs Elysees filly for trainer Richard Hannon and the jockey is expecting a big run.

"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 two thousand and one thousand—has always been the best form going forwards and so I'm not too worried how the Irish and French races panned out," Levey said.

"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%."

Teppal landed a messy running of the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas—G1) at ParisLongchamp, with only six lengths covering the 14 runners. The David Simcock trained daughter of Camacho is unbeaten in three career starts though and has progressed through the ranks quickly, with the Pouliches score her first run in stakes company. Olivier Peslier takes the reins.

"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," said Simcock. "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."

Clemmie starred for trainer Aidan O'Brien last year, rounding out a trio of group wins with victory in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), but could only run ninth behind Alpha Centauri on return at the Curragh. Ryan Moore rides and O'Brien is expecting his filly to improve again for the run.

"Clemmie is a filly we've always liked a lot and she did very well last season," the champion trainer said. "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."

Sir Michael Stoute enjoyed a big race double on June 20 and sends maiden winner Veracious, with Frankie Dettori up. The Frankel filly's form is well short of some of her rivals, but her trainer has landed the race on four previous occasions in a long and storied career.

French raiders have landed two of the last three editions of the Coronation and Mauricio Delcher Sanchez sends Coeur de Beaute. The daughter of Dabirsim was just touched off by Teppal at ParisLongchamp, after taking out the Prix Imprudence (G3) at Deauville the time before.

Threading finished well behind Clemmie in the Cheveley Park last year, but slammed her rivals by seven lengths when landing a stakes race at York last time.