Royal Ascot Tips: Zarigana To Confirm French Guineas Form In Coronation Stakes?

Zarigana is likely to head to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes following her controversial success in the French 1000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp on Sunday afternoon.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect was first past the post but was demoted following a stewards’ inquiry, with the Aga Khan-owned filly promoted to first place after interference in the closing stages.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s Zarigana had prevailed narrowly when the pair clashed in the Prix de la Grotte over course and distance in April and she was a hot horse racing betting favourite to confirm form in the French 1000 Guineas but it didn’t pan out that way.

Shes Perfect led the way for much of the race in the hands of Kieran Shoemark and she had plenty under pressure rounding the turn for home. At one stage, it looked like she was about to be swallowed up in the straight but she responded well and found plenty for pressure.

Zarigana finished like a train but Shes Perfect had her nose in front at the line, though wild celebrations in the parade ring were cut short when the result of the stewards’ inquiry came through.

Winning trainer Graffard said: “Obviously it was a tough few minutes and we don’t like to win like this and I feel sorry for the connections of Shes Perfect because they had the joy, but this is sport and this is racing and it has happened to me in the past.

“To be fair, my filly, when she came (with her challenge) she got really unbalanced at the wrong time and in the end it was only a nose. It was a decision in the stewards’ room, but I’m very happy for this filly especially. There was a lot of expectation and she deserves a win like that.”

The latest Royal Ascot betting odds have Zarigana at 6/1 (from 4/1) to win the Coronation Stakes but she’s still a shorter price than Shes Perfect, who is priced at 10/1 (from 33/1) to win the Grade 1 race next month.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “The opening weekend of French classics left us with more questions than answers, with the fillies’ race shrouded in controversy after the Aga Khan-owned filly Zarigana won the race in the stewards’ room having been beaten a nose by the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect.

“With the next logical step for the two fillies the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, we’ve cut Shes Perfect to 10/1 from 33/1 for the race but do favour Zarigana to uphold the form, despite her easing to 6/1 from 4/1.”

Coronation Stakes Odds 2025:

• Desert Flower – 2/1
• Lake Victoria – 7/2
• Zarigana – 6/1
• Flight – 10/1
• Shes Perfect – 10/1
• Red Letter – 10/1
• January – 10/1
• Exactly – 10/1
• Bar – 14/1

The French 1000 Guineas form will be tested at Royal Ascot, with the most successful trainers in history entering plenty for one of the big races of the week.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*