15:10 Epsom Downs

Friday 31 May 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 15:13 | Winning time: 2m 33.94s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Communique²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 114| D

25/1

Won a Newmarket Listed race in 2018 and battled on gamely to win a Group 2 at that venue last time. Some of the main rivals didn't perform that day so there's question marks over the form but it's still probably a career best; each-way chance.

Form: 1125-71

(9)

Cypress Creek^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

100/1

Doesn't always put his best foot forward and both wins have come over further than this. Beaten a long way at Chester on return and no obvious signs he's capable of competing at Group 1 level.

Form: 43616-5

(2)

Defoe²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 115| D

11/1

Fairly prolific as a three-year-old and started off in a similar fashion last year but it's now five starts without a win. Improved from reappearance to finish runner-up to Communique in a Group 2 last time but needs more to feature here.

Form: 3202-42

(8)

Kew Gardens²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120| BF| D

10/3

Two Group 1 wins to his name as a three-year-old, most notably the St Leger. Yet to show his best form on a tight track and that was seen when a distant second at Chester last time (odds-on fav); perhaps vulnerable to speedier types down in trip.

Form: 11317-2

(10)

Marmelo⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: G Mosse| T: H Morrison| OR: 117| D

12/1

A progressive stayer, winning a French Group 2 in 2018 before going on to a Melbourne Cup second. Well suited to being held up off a strong pace when dropped to 1m4f at Newbury last time but better over a bit further generally and wants soft ground.

Form: 21122-1

(4)

Morando²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 117| D

8/1

Dead-heated to win a Group 3 at Newbury towards the back end of last season and seemingly better than ever when bolting up in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. Best efforts have all come with cut in the going but not one to rule out.

Form: 30521-1

(1)

Old Persian⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 122| D

10/3

Prolific winner who gained a first Group 1 success in the Sheema Classic last time out, pulling out more when asked. Just a slight concern whether this tighter track will suit but gets his optimum ground/trip and he has a very useful turn of foot.

Form: 1615-11

(7)

Salouen²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S Kirk| OR: 117| D

10/1

Gained a first win since 2016 in Listed class on return at Ascot but he was only narrowly denied in this race last year and he went on to put up a fair effort in the Arc, beaten only 3½L. Likely pace angle and respected back at this venue.

Form: 34369-1

(6)

Lah Ti Dar¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114| BF| D

11/4

Impressive 10L winner in Listed class at York last year and put up a huge effort in the St Leger when just outstayed by re-opposing Kew Gardens. Only narrowly prevailed at York on return but should come on for that and a return to 1m4f will suit.

Form: 11123-1

Non-Runners

(3)

Coronet²⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: J & T Gosden J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lah Ti Dar (11/4), Kew Gardens (10/3), Old Persian (10/3), Morando (8/1), Salouen (10/1), Defoe (11/1), Marmelo (12/1), Coronet (16/1), Communique (25/1), Cypress Creek (100/1)

Aidan O'Brien bids for his sixth win in this race from the last 10 years but with concerns over the suitability of the track/trip for Kew Gardens, it may be worth taking a chance on another runner. OLD PERSIAN has been in fine form out in the UAE this season, culminating in a Sheema Classic win on World Cup night and the four-year-old can resume progress here with his optimum conditions likely. Lah Ti Dar will appreciate this step up in trip and looks set to come on for her reappearance at York. Salouen (only narrowly denied in this race last year) and Morando (impressive at Chester last time) rate as each-way chances with narrow preference for the former.