The Coronation Cup is the first Group 1 of Epsom’s Classic meeting, run over the same course and distance as the Derby and Oaks. A field of six go to post for this year’s renewal, including the defending champion. We have picked out our selection alongside 888sport‘s exclusive sign-up offer of Bet £10 and Claim £40 In Bet Bonuses.
High Definition (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore) 9/2
Still without a win since his juvenile days, but has begun to pick up again after a very disappointing three-year-old season. Was long ante-post favourite for the Derby while he still went off at the head of the market for the Irish equivalent. Was nearly last that day and later runs, in the Great Voltigeur and St Leger, proved equally unsuccessful. However, after good warm-ups in lower Group company, he almost caused a big upset in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup last month. May have been flattered, but build upon that up to 1m4f and difficult to ignore now.
Hukum (Owen Burrows, Jim Crowley) 5/1
Family likely to be in high demand now and while Owen Burrows’ five-year-old is talented, it is not because of him. He is a brother to the exceptional, unbeaten miler Baaeed, which makes it fascinating that this boy has only showed his best at 1m4f and beyond. Has won at Group 3 level on four occasions, along with a sole Group 2 achieved at Meydan at the start of March. Ran on into a very close seventh in Group 1 company there too and is worth another shot at this level now.
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Living Legend (Charlie & Mark Johnston, Joe Fanning) 10/1
Was last of six in a handicap off a mark of 94 as recently as September, but this son of Camelot has been improving at a rate of knots. Won a Listed contest at a big price at Kempton in March, then followed up on All Weather Champions Day when defeating an odds-on favourite. That has become something of his expertise, as he did so again when taking the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket from 1/4 shot Yibir. Still needs to raise his game to another level here, but could pinch an easy lead if High Definition does not go forward again.
Manobo (Charlie Appleby, William Buick) 2/1
Suffered a first career defeat in Dubai last time, after winning his first five races. Had blitzed his opposition up to Listed level over 1m4f, before making the leap to Group 2 company in the Prix Chaudenay over 1m7f at Longchamp. Also made a winning debut in Meydan before being caught late over 2m in the Dubai Gold Cup. Could well be for the best that he now comes back down in trip to 1m4f here, especially with the dearth of top level pedigree within this race. Not dependent on ground and very worthy of his place here.
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Palavecino (Brian Meehan, Sean Levey) 80/1
Six-year-old who gained his sixth career victory in a class 2 handicap at Lingfield in January. Form on the whole is a long way below this standard even if this is a weaker renewal and landed few blows on his previous three starts in Group company.
Pyledriver (William Muir & Chris Grassick, Frankie Dettori) 2/1
Frankie Dettori keeps the mount in the absence of Martin Dwyer. Dettori will be one of the first to admit that he rode this five-year-old into too much of a pocket in the Group1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, as he may well have won otherwise. Last season was generally successful, as he won this contest, as well as finishing second in the Hong Kong Vase. Goes on any surface and very likely to be fully fit to defend his title. The only Group 1 winner at any distance in this field and he deserves the utmost respect.
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Verdict
PYLEDRIVER and Hukum were not split by much in Dubai last time, though the former may well have won that Group 1 but for meeting trouble in-running. He is the only top level scorer in this select field, battling to win this a year ago, and he can defend his title. Manobo is well worth his place here back in trip after only recently losing his unbeaten record over 2m. High Definition nearly stole the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but is respected nonetheless off the back of that career best.
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