Some Derby Days around the world are packed full of premium quality racing, others leave the focus on the big race with a weaker undercard. Epsom sits somewhere in the middle, with the undercard topped by the Coronation Cup, which has previously been run on the Friday.
Preview again by William Kedjanyi, @keejayOV.
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Investec Coronation Cup
1m4f Group 1 WFA
£375,000
1510 local 0010 AEST
Ayrad: Midfield in the Prix Du Jockey Club last year and then well beaten in conditions contest here before Listed third. Well beaten when stepping up in class the last twice we’ve seen him and took advantage of a very good opportunity to land Goodwood Listed event latest but over matched here.
Flintshire: Top class bridesmaid last year, second in this on her seasonal return before fourth in Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud, second in Prix Foy, Arc De Triomphe, and Breeders’ Cup Turf before then getting deserved Group 1 in Hong Kong Vase (helped by being well placed in slowly run race). Gone back to being the bridesmaid this year but creditable efforts behind Dolniya the last twice and course experience a big plus for him.
Pether’s Moon: Well placed to pick up a big prize in the Bosphorus Cup and then showed a fine attitude to take the Cumberland Lodge Stakes soon afterwards. Can forgive blowout in Champion Stakes and looked as good as ever when returning with a smooth travelling second in the John Porter Stakes, although was well below par again when 18 lengths behind front pair in Jockey Club Stakes and needs to return to form. Even if doing so, tall task.
Romsdal: Third in the Derby and then second in the St Leger, so not unreasonable to expect big things of him this year, but has been a disappointment the last twice when folding tamely in John Porter (behind Pether’s Moon) and in Yorkshire Cup. If he returns to form, can play big part but that would be taking a chance.
Sheikhzatyedroad: Made hay last summer, taking Listed event at Newmarket over this trip before landing the York Stakes and taking Northern Dancer Turf Stakes. Couldn’t really land a blow in Champion Stakes but UAE Group 2 second a creditable effort. Exposed up in class in the Sheema Classic however and doesn’t look to have many prospects to overturn that form.
Dolniya: Like so many for these connections, made rapid improvement last year at three, taking Listed event and then Group 2 before finishing third in the Vermeille and fifth in the Arc. Looks at least as good, if not better, after returning with AW victory over Flintshire and then going onto take Sheema Classic in excellent style when a more decisive winner. Should take all the beating.
VERDICT: The withdrawal of Tapestry robs this race of a fascinating third angle and leaves us with a form match between Flintshire and DOLNIYA, who looked an improved horse when storming to victory in the Sheema Classic over Flintshire and granted a repeat of that form, should take the beating again here. Romsdal could have a say if coming back to his best here.
Advice: 1 pt win Dolniya (10/11 general)
Preview again by William Kedjanyi, @keejayOV.
------------------------
Investec Coronation Cup
1m4f Group 1 WFA
£375,000
1510 local 0010 AEST
Ayrad: Midfield in the Prix Du Jockey Club last year and then well beaten in conditions contest here before Listed third. Well beaten when stepping up in class the last twice we’ve seen him and took advantage of a very good opportunity to land Goodwood Listed event latest but over matched here.
Flintshire: Top class bridesmaid last year, second in this on her seasonal return before fourth in Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud, second in Prix Foy, Arc De Triomphe, and Breeders’ Cup Turf before then getting deserved Group 1 in Hong Kong Vase (helped by being well placed in slowly run race). Gone back to being the bridesmaid this year but creditable efforts behind Dolniya the last twice and course experience a big plus for him.
Pether’s Moon: Well placed to pick up a big prize in the Bosphorus Cup and then showed a fine attitude to take the Cumberland Lodge Stakes soon afterwards. Can forgive blowout in Champion Stakes and looked as good as ever when returning with a smooth travelling second in the John Porter Stakes, although was well below par again when 18 lengths behind front pair in Jockey Club Stakes and needs to return to form. Even if doing so, tall task.
Romsdal: Third in the Derby and then second in the St Leger, so not unreasonable to expect big things of him this year, but has been a disappointment the last twice when folding tamely in John Porter (behind Pether’s Moon) and in Yorkshire Cup. If he returns to form, can play big part but that would be taking a chance.
Sheikhzatyedroad: Made hay last summer, taking Listed event at Newmarket over this trip before landing the York Stakes and taking Northern Dancer Turf Stakes. Couldn’t really land a blow in Champion Stakes but UAE Group 2 second a creditable effort. Exposed up in class in the Sheema Classic however and doesn’t look to have many prospects to overturn that form.
Dolniya: Like so many for these connections, made rapid improvement last year at three, taking Listed event and then Group 2 before finishing third in the Vermeille and fifth in the Arc. Looks at least as good, if not better, after returning with AW victory over Flintshire and then going onto take Sheema Classic in excellent style when a more decisive winner. Should take all the beating.
VERDICT: The withdrawal of Tapestry robs this race of a fascinating third angle and leaves us with a form match between Flintshire and DOLNIYA, who looked an improved horse when storming to victory in the Sheema Classic over Flintshire and granted a repeat of that form, should take the beating again here. Romsdal could have a say if coming back to his best here.
Advice: 1 pt win Dolniya (10/11 general)
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