Mawj and Tahiyra kept in contention for 1,000 Guineas rematch at Royal Ascot

The fascinating rematch between the 1,000 Guineas one-two Mawj and Tahiyra at Royal Ascot moved a step closer on Saturday after the pair featured in nine confirmations for Friday's Coronation Stakes (5.00).

Mawj would not be passed at Newmarket but the betting suggests the placings will be reversed at Ascot, with Tahiyra the shortest-priced favourite of the whole week at 4-6.

Trainer Dermot Weld said Tahiyra was likely to come on for her outing at Newmarket and she proved that to be the case by winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh. 

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Mawj, who has not raced since Newmarket, is a best-priced 100-30 for the Coronation with Paddy Power, who make Meditate and Queen For You joint-third favourites at 11-2. Electric Eyes and Tarawa were among those scratched from the race.

Coral report strength behind Tahiyra, who is their 4-5 favourite, and a market weakness in Mawj.

Coral spokesman David Stevens said: "The market seems fairly sure Tahiyra will gain her revenge over the Qipco 1,000 Guineas winner at Ascot next week, with the Aga Khan's filly odds-on for the Coronation Stakes, in contrast to Mawj, easy to back at 11-4 (from 2-1)."

Coronation Stakes confirmations

Comhra tbc
Jackie Oh tbc
Mammas Girl Kevin Stott
Mawj tbc
Meditate Ryan Moore
Queen For You Robert Havlin
Remarquee Rob Hornby
Sounds Of Heaven Ronan Whelan
Tahiyra tbc

Little Big Bear, another of Royal Ascot's strongest favourites, stood his ground for Friday's Commonwealth Cup (4.20) as 16 possibles went forward at the latest stage.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien is set to be represented by Little Big Bear, who showed sprinting to be his forte with an impressive victory in the Sandy Lane Stakes, and recent Naas Group 3 winner The Antarctic in the Group 1 for three-year-olds over six furlongs.

Marshman was the highest-profile absentee in the Commonwealth Cup with trainer Karl Burke set to run the colt against his elders in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes.

Little Big Bear, who won the Windsor Castle at last year's meeting, heads Coral's betting at 13-8, with Sakheer at 7-2 and Shaquille at 8-1. 

Frankie Dettori rode Little Big Bear at Haydock last time but with Ryan Moore set to take over at Ascot, he has been booked for last year's Cheveley Park winner Lezoo.

Charlie Appleby has two potential runners in the Commonwealth Cup with William Buick set to ride Mischief Magic over Noble Style. The ride on Noble Style could be up for grabs with Godolphin's other jockey James Doyle booked to continue his association with Shaquille.

Derby runner-up King Of Steel heads 20 confirmations for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (3.05) on Friday, with Circle Of Fire, Castle Way, Arrest and Continuous among the potential opposition. 

Commonwealth Cup confirmations

Al Dasim Oisin Murphy
Cold Case tbc
Lezoo Frankie Dettori
Little Big Bear Ryan Moore
Marbaan Jamie Spencer
Mischief Magic William Buick
Noble Style tbc
Ocean Quest Colin Keane
Queen Me tbc
Rumstar tbc
Sakheer David Egan
Shaquille James Doyle
Shouldvebeenaring tbc
Swingalong tbc
The Antarctic tbc
The X O tbc

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