Racing: Nicer is the Ascot favourite

(First Edition)

NICER, winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas, was yesterday installed the 2-1 favourite to win the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

Barry Hills's filly heads A R Dennis's betting for the mile contest, ahead of the well-beaten favourite for the English 1,000 Guineas, Elizabeth Bay, at 100-30. Geoff Wragg, winning trainer last year with Marling, saddles Sumoto who is returning to the track after injury but looked highly promising when beating Sayyedati on her debut at Ascot last season.

The full list is: 2-1 Nicer, 100-30 Elizabeth Bay, 7-2 Niche (Richard Hannon), 4-1 Gold Splash (C Head), 8-1 Sumoto, 12-1 Zarani Sidi Anna (M Stoute), 33-1 Link River (J Gosden), 50-1 Aneesati (C Brittain), 66-1 Mystic Goddess (M Stoute).

William Hill have opened a book on Thursday's Ascot Gold Cup, with last year's winner, Drum Taps, the market leader at 100-30.

They then bet: 7-2 Assessor, 4-1 Vintage Crop, 9-2 Sought Out, 6-1 Further Flight, 12-1 Allegan & Turgeon, 14-1 Arcadian Heights, 20-1 Daru, 25-1 Silvernesian, 50-1 Michelozzo.