The Coral Distaff betting tips given by Horsebetting.com experts for the 1m Listed contest for fillies say Desert Diamond is worth a punt to win, while Narella sets the standard on form but has an absence to overcome. Gavota looks a value each-way bet if making the step up in trip, and you can read why in our Coral Distaff betting tips preview for the race on Eclipse day at Sandown.Desert Diamond can deliver in DistaffIn-form trainer Sir Michael Stoute has saddled four previous winners of the 1m Listed Coral Distaff for three-year-old fillies only on Eclipse day at Sandown (13:30), so his Desert Diamond looks well worth a wager at a tasty price to enhance that splendid record.
This daughter of Dubawi has won two of her three starts this season, first landing a novice stakes race over an extended mile on the all-weather on return to action in May. She was pushed along early to chase the leaders and shaken up before the furlong pole, then ridden to lead and ran on well for a 1 1/2 lengths victory.
Desert Diamond, who sports the famous green, white and pink sash silks of Prince Khalid Abdullah, was then stepped up in class and trip for a fillies’ handicap at York. She was produced to lead inside the two marker by jockey Danny Tudhope and kept on well for a career best 1 3/4 lengths win over Akvavera.
A tilt at the Sandringham Stakes during Royal Ascot followed when dropping back down to a mile and there were excuses for Desert Diamond, who only finished a four-length fourth of 23. She didn’t get a clear run when ridden less than two out, but did belatedly close inside the final furlong when space appeared.
There has been a tendency for Desert Diamond to hang right when racing, and that won’t be a problem at Sandown as the Esher venue is that way round. A smaller field in this race will also suit her better; so, given the stable is going well and clearly targets the Distaff with useful types, she looks a real value bet in this year’s renewal.Narella sets ratings standardsJuvenile Group 3 winner Narella heads the betting on debut for new handler Roger Varian, so her European form and top mark of 105 sets the standard here. This daughter of Reliable Man hasn’t raced since finishing last of seven to Wild Illusion in the Prix Marcel Boussac at the Arc de Triomphe meeting at Chantilly last October.
Soft ground in France, rather than the calibre of Group 1 opposition, may have explained her performance. Narella was only beaten just over seven lengths and her two career victories when in the care of Markus Klug came on good going.
Those underfoot conditions are assured at Sandown, and she has joined a stable that is going very well at present. Given how bullish connections were off the back of her Group 3 success to then race her at the highest level, then Narella is respected.
Although there’s an absence of 279 days to overcome, Andrea Atzeni is an in-form jockey who can get the best out of her. Off level weights, Narella is the clear danger to improving types like Desert Diamond, Preening and Awesometank.Gavota looks a good each-way betRoger Charlton is yet another in-form trainer with a hand to play in the Distaff, and so Prince Khalid’s other runner Gavota may outrun her odds into a place based on her juvenile form and a step up in trip.
After winning her first two starts, she placed in Group 2 and Group 3 contests at Newmarket – getting chinned in the last strides to go down by a neck to Altyn Orda on the latter occasion. It was a desperately unlucky defeat as Gavota was first of seven in her group, and the winner went on to finish fifth in the 1000 Guineas this season which gives the form a solid look.
Gavota’s own displays this term haven’t been great so far, but she clearly needed the run when a 12 1/2 lengths ninth to Dan’s Dream in the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on reappearance. She had nearly 200 days off between runs and clearly stripped fitter for returning to action when a more creditable 3 1/4 lengths fourth to Dance Diva in a Listed affair at Carlisle last time out.
Without showing the pace needed to challenge over 7f on what is a very testing sprint course, Gavota should instead now benefit from a further trip. She is out of a Galileo mare, so stepping up in distance shouldn’t be a problem based on that breeding.
If taking it in her stride and treated on the pick of her form, Gavota looks a big player here and hold claims of making the frame. Tackling the mile for the first time could bring out the best in her.Your Next Bet
