The Group 1 Coronation Cup has a new place on the racing calendar. It now sits alongside the Epsom Derby on Saturday and has attracted a superb field for its first weekend renewal.
GG tipster Joe Napier previews the race, featuring last year’s one-two and the 2025 Derby hero.
2026 Coronation Cup Runners
Jan Brueghel beat Calandagan in a humdinger 12 months ago. Aidan O’Brien’s 2024 St Leger winner subsequently disappointed in the King George before missing ten months of racing. Reappearing at Chester, he was a game and convincing winner of the Ormonde Stakes. That form needs improving upon, but he liked this track a year ago. Race fitness is also on his side.
Calandagan, though, has reached a different stratosphere of form since. He is now the world’s highest-rated racehorse and came from the clouds for a remarkable victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan earlier in 2026. He has now won five straight races, all Group 1s. A sixth looks likely with his trainer keen to run here.
2025 Derby hero Lambourn was brave in winning the Group 2 Huxley Stales on the Roodee on return. Runner-up Bay City Roller now gets a 5lb swing at the weights, but Lambourn took to Epsom superbly a year ago and could be dangerous on the front end. Bay City Roller could also improve for 1m4f though.
Convergent is a potential improver for Karl Burke. He was second in last year’s German Derby. but has won three of four starts since. His Group 3 John Porter Stakes win on return was his best form yet. Illinois is a solid, unspectacular performer, but up against it at this level and may be a Ballydoyle pacemaker.
2026 Coronation Cup Racecard
14:40 Epsom
Good To SoftCoolmore Coronation Cup (Group 1)
- Flat Turf
- Turf
- 1m 4f 6y
- Class 1
- 6 runners
- Win time: 2m 40s
- First Prize: £560,200
17/2 (Won)
- Win: £13.75
- Place: £3.80
9/4
- Place: £1.60
13/2
5/4F
11/1
33/1
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £44.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £27.02 |
| Trifecta | £147.40 |
Selections
The Sun:
Jan BrueghelDaily Record:
Jan BrueghelCoronation Cup Trends 2026
There are some key stats and trends which apply to the Coronation Cup. Here are the most vital to help inform your bets.
- None of the last five favourites have won the race
- Only two horses priced at bigger than 11/4 have won
- Aidan O’Brien is seeking a hat-trick in the race
- Five-year-olds have a slight edge over four-year-olds int he last decade, winning 6-4
2026 Coronation Cup Tips
The Ballydoyle brigade all have race fitness on their side against Calandagan, who is yet to race in Europe this season. However, Francis-Henri Graffard’s five-year-old has been a transformed horse in the 12 months since losing this to Jan Brueghel last season. He can gain revenge, with 2025 Derby hero Lambourn potentially posing the biggest threat this year.
FAQ
When and where is the Coronation Cup?
The Coronation Cup will take place at Epsom racecourse on Saturday 6 June, 2026 at 2.40pm.
How can I watch the Coronation Cup on Saturday?
The Coronation Cup is live on ITV Racing at 2.40pm on Saturday.
When were the Coronation Cup tips published?
The tips for the Coronation Cup were published at 1.55pm on Friday 5 June.
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