Royal Ascot: Frank Hickey & Billy Nash reveal big Tahiyra worry

Tahiyra is the odds-on antepost favourite for the 2023 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Paddy’s Preview Show panel have their doubts.

It’s a fairly close-run thing at the top of the market with Mawj second in the running and it was the latter who actually triumphed the last time these two faced up to each other in the 1,000 Guineas in May.

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Tahiyra has since won the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh but Paddy’s top racing trader Frank Hickey and Billy Nash from Timeform have a big concern for the favourite – the going.

If it’s lightning quick at Ascot on Friday both have their doubts whether Chris Hayes’ charge will get the job done. There is some rain forecast but it’s still looking pretty uncertain with a few days to go and some high temperatures in the offing until the Coronation Stakes.

“We’re hoping Mawj and Tahiyra both turn up.” Frank said. “The way Tahiyra made up her ground at Newmarket, you’d think she might be able to reverse the form. It’s not a race I’m too keen to get too involved in at this stage, I’d be happy to wait and see.

“Proper fast ground for Tahiyra would be a small [concern]. I know it was slightly on the fast side of good at the Curragh but it’s proper fast ground at Ascot and that would be a small question mark over her for me but I do think she’s probably got the more ability of the two overall.”

While Frank was keeping his powder dry on putting up a punt in Friday’s race, Billy had no problem in pinning his colours to the second-favorite’s mast.

Nash said: “It’s Mawj for me. I felt if they kept going all the way up Newmarket high street to the clock tower, Tahiyra still wouldn’t have got by. I just thought Mawj was holding her all the way.

“Tahiyra didn’t need to improve, didn’t even need to match that form to win the Irish Guineas, she was better than the opposition in that race and I agree with Frank. I don’t think rattling-fast ground will suit Tahiyra.

“I think Mawj is the better filly and I think she should be favourite and I think she’ll win.”

*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing / Ante-post prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Ante-post rules.