Olivier Peslier restored the credibility of French jockeys around Epsom by winning the Derby on HighRise but when Gerald Mosse is legged on to Zalaiyka for today's Coronation Stakes there will be more than a few doubters. The result could be a generous price on what looks the class filly of the race.

Mosse is the sort of rider that arouses racing's very own sort of prejudice. Very much a clone of the former French great Yves St Martin, Mosse rides at a length of iron that would bring most British or Irish riders out in a rash of vertigo.

At times with his knees almost hitting his chin as he balances seemingly precariously, Mosse looks as if his presence on a horse's back is of only marginal benefit. But then you look at his record that includes victories in the Arc and it's clear that while the style may be loose, the substance is definitely not.

Of course, the critics will say that is all very well around the flat Parisian tracks but what about Ascot's twists, turns and gradients. Mention Zalaiyka's trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre and very quickly you will be told that he has never saddled a winner in Britain. As if that automatically suggests he never will.

Why not view it that de RoyerDupre regards Zalaiyka as something special to bring to Ascot at all given the Aga Khan's tempestuous relationship with British racing in the past? The form book suggests she certainly could be. Zalaiyka looked superb when accelerating away from her field in the French 1,000 Guineas.

The race was over in a matter of strides and she sauntered four lengths away from Cortona with La Nuit Rose a neck back in third. La Nuit Rose subsequently filled the same spot in the Irish 1,000 where John Oxx's Winona was a short head further back in fourth.

Winona can be expected to reverse those placings while the English Guineas form is represented by Exclusive. The Lingield winner Nanoushka is another to consider but Zalaiyka on the book and on impression looks to be the best of these, Mosse or no Mosse.

There is an Irish runner in every race today except the Royal Hunt Cup and while Bianconi is sure to be well fancied in the opening Jersey Stakes - assuming he manages to get to Ascot - preference is for David Loder's unexposed but improving Diktat.

Selections: 2.30 - Diktat (nap); 3.05 - Bint Allayl; 3.45 - Zalaiyka; 4.20 - Silca Blanka; 4.55 - Capri; 5.30 - Sabadilla.