THEYSKENS’ THEORY looks the one to be on in the Coronation Stakes (3.45pm) on day four of Royal Ascot.
Although there have been several good performances from three-year-old fillies this season, none of them have shot to prominence in the same way as star colt Frankel.
But today there is a chance for one of them to put down a marker. And Brian Meehan’s Theyskens’ Theory is capable of doing it under Liverpool jockey Martin Dwyer.
After some smart juvenile form she took time to come to hand this season. She missed all the Classics before making a belated reappearance last month. But she returned for a smooth Listed success at York last time.
She must step back up to Group One company in the Coronation, but the Bernadini filly showed she could mix it at the top level when third to White Moonstone in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile over course and distance last September.
She also had subsequent 1,000 Guineas heroine Blue Bunting behind when winning her maiden at Newmarket prior to that.
Meehan and Dwyer believe Theyskens’ Theory is a very good horse and will continue improving.
The opposition includes Aidan O’Brien’s dual 1,000 Guineas runner-up Together and Richard Fahey’s tough and consistent filly Barefoot Lady.
Both can go well but they are likely to find Theyskens’ Theory hard to beat.
The King Edward VII Stakes (3.05pm) looks a hugely competitive renewal with World Domination, Nathaniel and GLEN’S DIAMOND all having the right credentials to take the 1m4f Group Two contest, which is generally regarded as the Ascot Derby.
But it is the last named, under Warrington’s champion jockey Paul Hanagan, who should just come out on top.
The progressive gelding won two of his three starts as a juvenile and returned with another victory at Musselburgh in April.
But it was his victory in the Group Three Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes on the Roodee last month that marked him down as a smart horse.
He should improve on that and two furlongs further of today’s race should be ideal.
Fahey and Hanagan could have a double with LILY’S ANGEL who has a good chance in the opener, the Norfolk Stakes (2.30pm), with Illaunglas a big danger
Ballydoyle handler O’Brien has won the Queens Vase (5pm) twice in the last four years and he can make that three with REGENT STREET.
RIGHT STEP may be able to finally get his head in front after a string of seconds in the Wolferton Handicap (5pm). While trainer Meehan and jockey Dwyer may end a big day on a winning note with MANASSAS sure to go well in the Britannia Handicap (5.35pm).
ROYAL ASCOT DAY FOUR PREDICTIONS: 2.30pm Lily’s Angel, 3.05pm (King Edward VII Stakes) Glen’s Diamond, 3.45pm (Coronation Stakes) 1 Theyskens’ Theory (NAP) 2 Together 3 Barefoot Lady, 4.25pm Right Step, 5pm Regent Street, 5.35pm Manassas.
