Fame and Sariska seek Coronation Cup glory
Aidan O’Brien’s Fame And Glory beat all bar the incomparable Sea The Stars in the Derby 12 months ago while Sariska landed the Oaks, seeing off Midday in a thrilling battle.
So far this season Fame And Glory has gradually improved, winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup by seven lengths, while Michael Bell’s Sariska returned to action with a professional performance in the Middleton Stakes at York.
O’Brien also runs the likely pacemaker Dixie Music.
Mick Channon’s perennial bridesmaid Youmzain is back for more. As well as finishing second in the last three Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes, he has been runner-up in this contest the last twice to Soldier Of Fortune and Ask.
Godolphin’s Cavalryman showed top-class form for Andre Fabre last season and has his first run on these shores for Saeed bin Suroor after two decent performances in Dubai.
Mark Johnston’s Jukebox Jury bombed out at Meydan but bounced back to winning ways in Newmarket’s Jockey Club Stakes and steps back into Group One company.
High Heeled, third in the Oaks when trained by Barry Hills, has her first start for John Gosden while Roger Charlton’s Clowance completes the female contingent.
Luke Comer’s ex-Ballydoyle inmate Bashkirov and William Haggas’ South Easter complete the top-class 10-runner line-up.
Meanwhile, impressive Lincoln winner Penitent finally gets the chance to turn out again in tomorrow’s Investec Diomed Stakes.
Trainer William Haggas has decided to take the plunge despite the four-year-old having a preference for soft ground.
Johnny Murtagh is back in the saddle and Haggas is keen to see how he gets on against Pattern-race performers after his two-month absence.
“We’ve been wanting to run him for a bit now so he needs the race,” said Haggas. “It’s incredible to think it will be nearly 70 days since the Lincoln but it has hardly rained at all and it certainly hasn’t rained when there’s been an appropriate race for him.
“It’s a big step up in class but he’s got no choice now but to run in races likes this. He deserves his chance and whether he’s good enough, we’ll see on Friday.”
Last year’s Lockinge runner-up Alexandros, Luca Cumani’s Mabait and Richard Fahey’s improving Harrison George are also in the line-up.
