Coquet can step up in class for Listed glory at Goodwood

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 24.05.2012

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Hughie Morrison places his horses very carefully and can boast an excellent win rate as a result, and his Coquet is fancied to land the Height of Fashion Stakes at 3.45 this afternoon.

The Sir Percy filly quickly progressed to a useful level last term in three runs as a juvenile, taking a useful 1m listed race impressively at Newmarket on her final run. This step up in trip will suit and she seems sure to be primed for this valuable £35,000 prize after 208 days on the sidelines.

Main danger may come from John Gosden's Gathering. She is a smartly-bred filly who confirmed her debut promise when readily landing a competitive 1m maiden at Newmarket in September. She seems sure to stay this far but it is a bit of a concern that she's fitted with headgear on this return, with perhaps her attitude something of an issue at home.

Minidress has a crucial fitness edge over her rivals here having shaped with promise on her seasonal debut when eighth in the Nell Gwynn (field rather finished in a heap and may be muddling form). She made a winning start as a 2-y-o last August and was then a creditable fourth in a Group 3 when upped in grade, but the current form of the Mahmood Al Zarooni is certainly a huge negative to her chance here.

Estrela represents the in-form duo of Roger Charlton and James Doyle. This half-sister to several winners won a Newbury maiden last term and was a very creditable third in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield on her return. She travelled well until tiring at the furlong pole there and this drop in trip could well suit on the drying ground.

Nayarra has a penalty to carry after winning a weak Group 1 in Italy on her last start as a juvenile and is more exposed than most after 11 career starts, while Zimira has to improve on a well held fifth (behind Estrela) last time out.

Perhaps Zaina can outrun her odds coming from a less high profile yard. She improved on placed efforts in all-weather maidens when winning over 1m2f event at Doncaster in March. That form has been working out well and this Ribblesdale entry is still unexposed and open to improvement after just three runs to date.

In summary, a high quality listed race that ties in a large number of form lines, and Coquet is selected to come out on top. At around 7-2 this morning she is worthy of a decent win investment under Robert Havlin.

Stephen's Thursday Nap Gabrial Hero 4.40 Haydock

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