CONDITIONS had dried out somewhat by the Friday of Royal Ascot, with the Coronation Stakes going to Qemah in a time 3.45s quicker than had been recorded by Galileo Gold (over three yards longer) in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the Tuesday.

The Coronation Stakes was also run at a truer pace than that earlier race – resulting in a 116 timefigure for the French-trained winner – though there were still some unsatisfactory elements, with placed fillies Nemoralia and Alice Springs encountering trouble. Nonetheless, Qemah looks a solid winner, though not a spectacular one.