Coronation Cup: O'Brien expects improved performance from Kew Gardens

Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1) | 1m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

With eight victories in the race Aidan O'Brien is the most successful trainer in the 117-year history of the Coronation Cup and Kew Gardens, last season's St Leger winner, carries the Ballydoyle trainer's hopes of adding to his impressive record in Friday's renewal.

A dual Group 1 winner last season, Kew Gardens made his reappearance in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester where he was beaten eight lengths when second to Morando, a rival here again.

O'Brien said: "We were happy with Kew Gardens at Chester. He was just ready to start off and the soft ground was against him. We expected him to come on well for the run and we think he has.

"The nicer the ground, the more he'll like it and he's going there in good form."

Joining Kew Gardens in the line-up is stablemate Cypress Creek, who finished 20 lengths behind Ryan Moore's mount at Chester where he was ridden prominently.

"We think Cypress Creek has come forward since Chester and we're hoping he performs well," said O'Brien, who last won the race with Highland Reel two years ago.

Kew Gardens prosHas had this race as his target since the start of the season and expected to show big improvement from Chester defeat with ground to suit

ConsQuestionable if 1m4f is his optimum trip

Track concerns for leggy Lah Ti Dar

Lah Ti Dar, winner of the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York on her reappearance 15 days ago, will be attempting to become the first filly to land the prize since In The Groove won for David Elsworth and Steve Cauthen in 1991.

Her trainer John Gosden was successful in the event for the first time a year ago with Cracksman and, while he is happy with Lah Ti Dar's wellbeing, Gosden has a concern about how Frankie Dettori's mount will handle the unique demands Epsom presents.

Lah Ti Dar (left): winner of the Middleton StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

He said: "I've been very pleased with Lah Ti Dar since York where her win over a mile and quarter seems to have sharpened her up. This trip will suit her better, but she's a very tall and leggy filly and Epsom may not be her ideal track."

Dettori will be seeking a sixth win in the race which he first won on Swain in 1996.

ProsReturn to 1m4f should suit although she has a bit to find on official ratings

ConsNo filly has won the race since 1991 and trainer concerned track might not be ideal

Progressive Old Persian has become quicker

Old Persian will be attempting to give Godolphin a first win in the race since Mutafaweq scored in 2001 and trainer Charlie Appleby is upbeat about the Sheema Classic winner's prospects of landing a second Group 1.

He said: "We've been pleased with Old Persian's preparation and the ground should be perfect for him as he has shown a high level of form on a quick surface.

Old Persian: impressive winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic last timeCredit: Francois Nel (Getty Images)

"He has progressed nicely from three to four and a performance similar to the one he produced in the Dubai Sheema Classic will make him a major player.

"If anything, we feel that Old Persian might have become quicker this year, and the way he travels through his races suggests that Epsom Downs will play to his strengths."

ProsProgressive and proven over the trip. Highest rated in the race having produced a career best last time and will relish the ground conditions

Cons Could be better drawn and has not raced at Epsom before

Consistent Salouen primed for another bold bid

Salouen made a brave bid to land the prize 12 months ago, making the running before being beaten a head by Cracksman.

A seven-length winner at Listed level at Ascot earlier this month, he's back in the big league here and trainer Sylvester Kirk is delighted with the five-year-old's condition.

Salouen (right) finishes a narrow second to Cracksman in last season's Coronation CupCredit: Mark Cranham

He said: "Salouen came out of Ascot in great form and couldn't be better. Physically we are very happy him and he's been bouncing at home. He's amazingly well.

"Last year against Cracksman, we went to Epsom more in hope than expectation whereas this year – while being sensible about it – we have a bit more expectation.

"He got an easy lead last year and that helped, but he's also run well in other top-class races and it would be great for him to win a big one. He's always been consistent and with slight improvement he will go very close again."

ProsSolid performer and only beaten a head in last year's renewal when attempting to make all

ConsWhether he can repeat last year's effort in what looks a stronger race

The other contenders

Runner-up in the Melbourne Cup in November, Marmelo returned with a Group 3 win at Newbury, and his trainer Hughie Morrison said: "I'm very happy with him and he came out of his Newbury race as well as ever.

"We're looking forward to this, but it's a step up. He'd prefer a bit of juice in the ground, but that's on the basis that he takes his races better on it. That's the same with most horses, though, and he has broken two track records on fast ground.

"I'm enjoying the fact he's not fancied. He's not a difficult horse to get fit. The trip at this level is a question mark, but I think he can compete."

Andrew Balding, whose father Ian trained the great Mill Reef to win the race in 1972, is represented by Morando, who beat Kew Gardens by eight lengths in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

He said: "Morando was very impressive in the Ormonde, but in different conditions. He relishes soft ground and it's not going to be as testing at Epsom. He's proven himself a Group horse but not at this level. It looks a strong renewal and there's good prize-money for the places."

Roger Varian, successful with Postponed in 2016, is represented by Defoe.

He said: "He's in good form and I expect him to improve from his Newmarket run. It looks a warm renewal of the race but I expect him to run very well."

Defoe will be renewing rivalry with the Mark Johnston-trained Communique to whom he finished second in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

Spotlight verdict

A more competitive renewal of this Group 1 feature than has often been the case and one in which ready preference is for Old Persian, who has improved significantly in all three seasons to date and seems to have added a potent turn of foot to his armoury judging by this spring's two wins at Meydan. He is the form pick, slightly ahead of old rival and main danger Kew Gardens, on his last-time-out success in the Sheema Classic, but with the distinct prospect of there more being still to come. Defoe probably isn't up to winning but he has the best each-way chance of those at bigger prices and he can claim third.
Mel Cullinan

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