Theyskens' Theory can leave Memory standing

Troubled run: Coronation Stakes hopeful Memory has plenty of class but she got left in the stalls in the 1,000 Guineas

13 April 2012

There has been one notable setback for Richard Hughes, the most stylish and intelligent of jockeys, in a season of high achievements that have already yielded three winners from the opening two days of Royal Ascot.

It came when his mount Memory declined to leave the stalls at the start of the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.

By the time the filly consented to set off in the Classic, the others had gone beyond recall and she eventually strolled in 37 lengths behind the second-last finisher Laughing Lashes.

Hughes is hoping Memory can set the record straight tomorrow in the Group One Coronation Stakes after various measures have been taken by trainer Richard Hannon and his team to put her back on track.

Initially Memory was moved to a different yard before horse whisperer Gary Witheford was brought in for some intensive schooling work in and around the stalls. The signs at home have been promising but no one can be certain this enigmatic filly will jump out with the rest of the field tomorrow.

Hughes said: "She nearly didn't go at Royal Ascot last year but I just got away with it. We set off a good 10 lengths after the others in the Albany Stakes and still won. But at Newmarket she just refused to jump out. I was devastated because I thought she had a great chance."

With Memory misbehaving at Newmarket, the Irish-trained filly Together came tantalisingly close to winning the Guineas until she was caught in the final strides by Blue Bunting.

She then finished an admirable second in the Irish Guineas behind her stable companion Misty For Me. Together is the deserved favourite tomorrow but is worth taking on because she finds it so hard to win. Even Aidan O'Brien, her trainer, said: "she does not want to be in front too long."

The value bet could, therefore, be the imposing filly Theyskens' Theory, who was impressive on her return to action in May in a Listed race at York, where she showed she had improved for a winter break by slamming the opposition.

Martin Dwyer, who rides the three-year-old for trainer Brian Meehan, is upbeat about her chances in the one-mile contest.

He said: "She was a class above these that day and it is onwards and upwards. Hopefully she will be able to win a Group One race this season."

The first opportunity for Theyskens' Theory to do so comes tomorrow on going that could have turned in her favour with rain set to fall at Ascot for most of the day. Her best victory came on soft ground at Goodwood last August.

Rain would not help the cause of the speedy Maqaasid, who seems to struggle to last out the mile and could yet return to shorter distances later in the season. A more likely candidate is the French contender Nova Hawk, who is another suited by soft conditions.

American trainer Wesley Ward broke the mould when he saddled two winners at the Royal meeting in 2009. He is back for more this week and nominates Judy The Beauty as his best chance in the opening Albany Stakes tomorrow, though testing conditions could temper his confidence.

Ante-post backers who lost their money when the favourite Green Destiny was a late withdrawal from Wednesday's Royal Hunt Cup have an early opportunity to recoup their loses after his switch to the Wolferton Handicap.

His trainer, William Haggas, felt the ground was too quick for the horse yesterday.

Meanwhile, Sir Henry Cecil can land the Queen's
Vase, with Haydock winner Solar Sky.

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