Royal Ascot: Ink Pens Her Name Into Coronation History Books

Indian Ink blew away her rivals today as she strolled to a clear success in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Richard Hughes delivered the Richard Hannon-trained filly with a decisive flourish down the outside over a furlong out, and the heavily-backed 8-1 shot pulled six lengths clear. German raider Mi Emma kept on for second, just heading French runner Darjina in a tight finish.

Cherry Hinton and Scarlet Runner set a decent early pace, allowing Hughes to settle his filly, who won last year's Cheveley Park Stakes, towards the rear. Mi Emma, the 100-30 joint-favourite, and Darjina both took up positions near the front but they all looked set to be trumped by the other market leader, Finsceal Beo, who was travelling really well. However, she found little under pressure as Indian Ink swept past and powered away, leaving Mi Emma and Darjina toiling in her wake.

"The ground made a big difference. At the start of the week things were not looking very good," said Hannon. "All her best runs last year were on easier ground. Just a bit of give in the ground is fine. "In the [1,000] Guineas, the ground was very fast. She got into a bit of trouble and perhaps she should have been third. She might go to the Falmouth [Stakes at Newmarket], something like that."

Hughes added: "When she won the Lowther at York last year she hit the front and went clear, then nearly pulled herself up, so I had to be careful today. I gave her a kick and she quickened. I thought I may have gone too soon, but I've got great faith in this filly."

Finsceal Beo's trainer Jim Bolger thought the rain-softened surface at the Berkshire venue had taken its toll on his dual Classic-winner, who finished well back in eighth. "[Jockey] Kevin [Manning] felt she just wasn't able to quicken on the ground and I would say she does not like it when it's like that," said Bolger. "She's not the same filly on that ground. We will take her home and see how she is and I'm sure there will be other days. She will certainly have all the entries."