Like the Oaks, the Coronation Cup will be run on Friday,
June 4th at Epsom. Warrsan is looking for an unheard of three-peat.
ALKAADHEM: High class performer, he was disappointing last time
out in the Earl of Sefton. Previously he won in Dubai and ran
fourth in the Duty Free. A multiple Group Three winner, he needs
to prove that he is up to this class. He is a son of Green Desert
and has won six of 14 starts to date.
ALKAASED: Impressed when winning the Jockey Club Stakes on his
seasonal debut. He defeated the high class pair of Gamut and Bandari.
The son of Kingmambo has won three of his last four starts and
was a close second to Mamool in last year's September Stakes.
He is lightly raced for a five year old having made just 11 starts
and Luca Cumani has done a great job with him.
BANDARI: Gallant front runner, he defeated the top class Sulamani
in last year's Princess of Wales Stakes. He is, though generally
found at when racing at the highest level. A former St Leger third,
he has won ten of his 26 starts.
PAPINEAU: Top class stayer. He was impressive when winning last
year's Gold Cup over champion stayer Westerner, but injury prevented
him from running again last year. He made his reappearance in
the Yorkshire Cup and although he was unplaced he was not disgraced
in running four lengths off Franklins Gardens. Although he is
looking for further, Papineau has a touch of class and is highly
thought of.
REEFSCAPE: Promoted to second behind Bago in the Prix Ganay following
Pride's disqualification. He was a high class three year old last
year and ended his season with a win in a Group Two race over
15 furlongs. He ran well on his seasonal debut to finish under
two lengths behind last year's Arc winner. He acts well when there
is give in the going and it is uncertain whether he will receive
this on Friday. A son of champion sire Linamix, he is from leading
Derby hopeful, Fracas,'s immediate family.
SHIROCCO: Last year's German Derby winner makes his seasonal
debut here and aims to emulate Boreal who won the Coronation Cup
after taking the German Derby in 2001. He defeated the top class
Electrocutionist in a Group One in Italy last year. The latter
won his last start by six lengths so the form looks solid. He
ran a length behind Warrsan in the Preis von Baden. He is a son
of German's champion sire, Monsun.
WARRSAN: Was due to retire to stud at the beginning of the year
but was sent back into training instead. He ran fourth in the
Jockey Club Stakes, a race he has used in the last two years prior
to his back to back Coronation Cup wins. His form did trail off
last year badly and at the age of seven, it is to be hoped that
he retains his enthusiasm. His trainer, Clive Brittain, is very
confident and at his best, Warrsan would win.
YEATS: Last year's Derby's favourite, injury prevented him from
running in the Derby and he had a ten month break before running
a well beaten second behind Cairdeas last month. Prior to his
injury he was unbeaten in three starts, although without facing
strong opposition. He will need to improve although he does have
the scope to do so. He was most impressive when winning his second
start by ten lengths and has bags of ability.
PRIDE: Disqualified after pressing Bago in the Prix Ganay, she
was demoted from second to sixth. She likes the going to be very
soft and she won't get that on Friday. She ended last year with
a five length romp in a group two race at Longchamp, although
the opposition was weak. If she can repeat her last run Pride
will go close but she needs to confirm the Ganay form.
SELECTION
1Alkaased
2 Warrsan
3 Yeats