Hill gains Coronation compensation Globe-trotting jockey Olivier Peslier flew into Royal Ascot today to ensure that France avoided a whitewash by lifting the feature Coronation Stakes on the last day of the meeting. The French champion had been in action in Tunisia on Sunday and rode a treble at Longchamp just yesterday. But there was no sign of travel sickness as he swooped late on Khaled Abdullah`s Banks Hill to record his first winner of the year in Britain and give France a first winner at the 2001 Royal meeting. Indeed, Peslier had the confidence to delay his challenge until inside the final furlong before cutting fellow 4-1 joint favourite Crystal Music and going on to score by a length and a half, with Tempting Fate another half-length back in third. Ameerat became the eighth successive 1000 Guineas winner to suffer defeat in this Group One event, trailing in fifth. But her jockey Philip Robinson escaped punishment for accidentally striking fourth-home Lethals Lady over the head with his whip approaching the final furlong. Reflecting on the race, Peslier said: 'I was very confident. Two furlongs out I took my time as I knew she finishes well. And when I ask her, she fly!' His mount had been a strong-finishing second in the French 1000 Guineas on the third of just four previous appearances. And Peslier added: 'With each race she get stronger. She looks like the best European miler. She is a special filly.' Andre Fabre, who lifted this prize with Golden Opinion in 1989 but was recording his first Royal Ascot win for five years, is now looking forward to taking on the colts with Banks Hill. 'This race has been her target for a month and I couldn`t be more delighted,' the trainer said. 'She was unlucky in the French Guineas but I would blame the heavy ground as it took away her initial speed. 'I will discuss it with Prince Khaled but now she will probably have to take on the boys.' John Gosden was notsurprised to see his Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Crystal Music give best to the French filly. 'I feared Banks Hill would be the one to beat,' said the trainer, who has a late-summer target in mind for his charge. 'We will freshen her up now and look at the Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l`Opera for her,' he said. 'We had her spot-on today and that is as good as she is.' Godolphin`s Tempting Fate faded after making most of the running over this stiff mile and could be set to step back in trip. 'Seven furlongs is probably better for her but there aren`t many seven-furlong races around,' said racing manager Simon Crisford. 'But she`s run a really good race and hopefully there`ll be plenty of opportunities for her throughout the course of the year and she`ll be given the chance to go and win a nice race.' Firmish underfoot conditions may have scuppered Ameerat`s chance, as Robinson said: 'The ground was too firm.'
