Zarigana and Falakeyah In Line For Coronation Battle

[Wandering Eyes]

Friday's Royal Ascot confirmations have been made and the clash between the Aga Khan Studs star Zarigana (Siyouni) and Shadwell's exciting Falakeyah (New Bay) in the G1 Coronation Stakes is the highlight of the card. The former, who was awarded the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches last month, will attempt to establish herself at the top of the fillies' pecking order in this mile category with fellow TDN Rising Star Falakeyah dangerously unexposed coming back in trip after her scintillating win in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes. Others of note among the 11 contenders include the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Flight (Siyouni) and another Listed winner stepping into the heat of Group 1 battle in Kon Tiki (Night Of Thunder).

In the fixture's other Group 1 contest, 22 sprinters take part in the Commonwealth Cup with Godolphin's G1 Middle Park Stakes winner Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) the key protagonist dropping back to six having been third in the 2,000 Guineas. Juddmonte hold a strong hand, with the G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche (Kodiac) lining up alongside the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains runner-up and fellow TDN Rising Star Jonquil (Lope De Vega), while Ballydoyle's duo include the G1 Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket (No Nay Never).

There are 11 set to feature in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes, where the unbeaten Ralph Beckett-trained Listed Cocked Hat Stakes scorer Amiloc (Postponed) occupies favouritism over Ballydoyle's Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master (Camelot). Of the 17 2-year-old fillies confirmed for the opening G3 Albany Stakes, Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's daughter of first-season sire Starman, the Carlisle winner Venetian Sun is the market-leader at present in an open renewal.

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