Coronation Cup at Epsom

The Coronation Cup for older horses over 1 1/2 miles at 16.25 CET is a major event in its own right, and has assemled the strongest field for some time. In recent years, the Germans have done well in this event, with both Boreal and Shirocco winning this century, and Baron Ullmann´s Getaway (André Fabre/ Stephane Paquier) is hot favourite to give his owner and trainer another big win. In recent years this race has been monopolised by Fabre and Aidan O´Brien and this trend seems set to continue, although it should not be forgotten that Youmzain (Mick Channon/ Richard Hughes) finished in front of both Getaway and O´Brien´s runner Soldier of Fortune when runner-up in last year´s "Arc". However Youmzain has not won since taking the Preis von Europa 21 months ago and does not appeal as a likely winner, whereas Getaway showed excellent speed to win at Newmarket last time and clearly is much better than a one-placed stayer, as seemed to be the case a year ago. He appears to be yet another son of Monsun to show tremendous improvement at 5 years of age for André Fabre and is expected to win today, although the odds will not be generous. Outsiders who could run into a place include O´Brien´s second string Macarthur (Seamus Heffernan), Brian Meehan´s Red Rocks (Frankie Dettori) - winner of the 2006 Breeders Cup Turf - and the quirky but talented Papal Bull (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), who may well find the race run to suit him.