Ask aiming for Coronation glory at Epsom
Sir Michael Stoute’s six-year-old is one of 18 contenders remaining in the £225,000 contest over a mile and a half.
Although Ask was roundly cut in the betting for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot after last week’s triumph at York, Stoute’s entire will instead take his chance at Epsom.
Simon Christian, racing manager to Ask’s owner, Pat Fahey, said: “The Coronation Cup is definitely the plan for Ask.
“He was just beaten a short head in a Group One in Canada (in 2007) and it was nice for the owner to get a big-race success with him.
“I think Mr Fahey has been very fortunate to have a six-year-old with such a good temperament and who is sound.
“The owner and the trainer take it one step at a time and we are concentrating on Epsom before eying any targets later in the season.”
Stoute, four times a winner of the Coronation Cup, has also left in Doctor Fremantle, who made a winning seasonal debut at Chester this month.
Aidan O’Brien’s one remaining entry is 2008 Irish Derby scorer Frozen Fire, who was done no favours in a farcical renewal of the Ormonde Stakes on his most recent outing.
Another possible Irish-trained starter is Dermot Weld’s Casual Conquest.
Godolphin could be represented by Eastern Anthem and Campanologist.
A strong European challenge looks likely, with three German-trained entries and one engagement from France.
Peter Schiergen, who saddled Boreal to victory in the 2002 Coronation Cup, has left in Kamsin and Quijano. The other possible runner from Germany is Adlerflug.
Alain de Royer-Dupre could fly the flag for France with former O’Brian inmate, The Bogberry.
Other interesting contenders include last year’s Oaks heroine Look Here and Youmzain, runner-up to Soldier Of Fortune in the 2008 Coronation Cup.
John Gosden still has Expresso Star and Dar Re Mi engaged, while Cima De Triomphe, Scintillo, Buccellati and All The Aces complete the list of hopefuls at this stage.
Meanwhile Robin Bastiman believes Borderlescott can turn the tables on his Newmarket conqueror Amour Propre in the Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock Park on Saturday.
Last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes hero was beaten just over two and a half lengths in third place behind Henry Candy’s speedster in the Palace House Stakes earlier this month.
Although Amour Propre is 2lb better off, ground conditions are likely to be different and Bastiman reports Borderlescott to have thrived for his first run of the season.
“He’s been OK since Newmarket and he’s come on for it,” the Wetherby trainer told the sponsors.
“Henry Candy will know how much his horse has improved, but Borderlescott needed that run and we’ll see how we fare on different going. It should be good to soft and it was very fast ground at Newmarket. The conditions don’t really bother Borderlescott but we’ll see how Amour Propre fares with some cut.
“Borderlescott needs a few runs to reach his peak and is usually at his best around July and August.
“I wanted to give him two runs before the King’s Stand Stakes (at Royal Ascot), his main target in the first half of the season.
“The key to keeping horses like him going is not to push them too hard, give them time and don’t run them too much on firm ground to preserve their legs.”
Betfred.com Temple Stakes, sponsors bet: 9-4 Amour Propre, 4-1 Borderlescott, 6-1 Equiano, Tax Free, 14-1 Spin Cycle, 20-1 Captain Gerrard, Dandy Man, Hogmaneigh, Look Busy, Masta Plasta, Total Gallery, 25-1 bar.
