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Pyledriver faces five rivals as he bids to retain the Coronation Cup in Friday’s 3.10pm at Epsom.
Group 2 winner Manobo and High Definition, who bounced back to form when second in last month’s Tattersalls Gold Cup, are among the principal threats.
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Hukum will look to get back on track a poor run at Meydan last time out, while Living Legend and Palavecino complete the field.
You’ll find horse-by-horse analysis of the six runners and Coronation Cup tips from Paddy Power’s horse racing experts below.
Coronation Cup runners
High Definition
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 4 Draw: 3
Always been highly-touted and finally produced the sort of performance his juvenile form suggested he was capable of when second under an aggressive ride in the Tattersalls Gold Cup 12 days ago, worn down only close home. Back up in trip and no surprise if it all clicks.
Hukum
Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 5 Draw: 5
Very smart and likeable performer with a good strike rate, scoring again in Meydan Group 2 over this trip in March. Behind the luckless Pyledriver, although was keeping on at the finish, in the Dubai Sheema Classic next time and should have another profitable summer.
Living Legend
Trainer: Charlie & Mark Johnston Jockey: Joe Fanning Age: 6 Draw: 1
Has been in the form of his life, getting the hat-trick up with another fine front-running display in the Newmarket Jockey Club Stakes over this trip 5 weeks ago, proving game. This is even tougher, while he’ll face stiff competition for the lead, but he’s dangerous to completely dismiss.
Manobo
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 4 Draw: 2
Won his first 5 starts, including a very impressive victory in 14f Meydan Group 3 in February, before meeting with defeat in the Dubai Gold Cup (2m) 10 weeks ago after again pulling much too hard early on. Drop back in trip will suit and he remains a high-class prospect, surely a Group 1 winner.
Palavecino
Trainer: Brian Meehan Jockey: Sean Levey Age: 6 Draw: 6
Back to winning ways down in grade in Lingfield handicap 125 days ago but up against it on all known form back up in trip on first go in a Group 1.
Pyledriver
Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 5 Draw: 4
Took his place at the top table with victory in this last year, ridden more prominently and gamely getting back up near the finish. Second in the Hong Kong Vase in December and again ran well in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March, arguably unlucky not to win. Got to be respected.
Coronation Cup tips
Matt Chapman: I’m not sure Manobo should have been the ante-post favourite for this and if he wins he’s very good as his improvement has come over further. I’ll stick with defending champion PYLEDRIVER who I thought was unlucky in Dubai last time but who still ran well in fourth behind Japanese runner Shahryar. The William Muir/Grassick runner travelled really well that day and is pretty decent at his best.
Timeform: MANOBO remains a high-class prospect despite meeting with his first defeat when last seen on Dubai World Cup night in March. The drop back in trip looks ideal on his return and he can resume winning ways from last year’s hero Pyledriver, who was perhaps unlucky not to scoop a huge prize under Frankie Dettori at that same fixture. The enigmatic High Definition is the other leading contender.
Jason Weaver: Last year‘s winner PYLEDRIVER looks as if he’s going to be tough to beat. Very little was mentioned about how unlucky he was last time with Frankie Dettori on board and he’s not the type of rider to make the same mistake twice. High Definition probably represents the main danger after a solid run on home soil last time at the Curragh, although that does look his favoured track.
Friday’s Fancies
- Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s Friday fancies for ITV Racing at Epsom
- Horse Racing Tips: Jason Weaver’s best Friday picks on Epsom Oaks day
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