High Chaparral set for Epsom

Aidan O'Brien's High Chaparral is set to make a repeat visit to Epsom for the Vodafone Coronation Cup as he spearheads a new Ballydoyle experiment which sees older horses remain in training after their three-year-old season.

O’Brien’s outstanding Derby winner is likely to make his seasonal debut in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh at the end of next month before making a return to the scene of his first great triumph.

Since then, of course, the Sadler’s Wells colt has landed the Irish equivalent together with the Breeders’ Cup Turf as well as finishing third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

If all goes well this term, a repeat visit to Longchamp is on the cards but it is one step at a time according to O’Brien, who will run his campaign alongside a four-year-old programme for Hawk Wing, the Derby runner-up.

Both horses are fit and raring to go with the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury the opening target for Hawk Wing.

“We’ve never had four-year-olds of this calibre in training before but we are pleased with them,” said O’Brien.

“They’ve become big and strong physically and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

O’Brien did, however. offer a note of caution: “You have to remember our three-year-olds had a tough time last season and you just have to hope that they carry on from there.

“You have to be a little bit wary this year but we are looking forward to it.

“A lot of four year-olds, the likes of Pilsudski and Singspiel for example, had a much quieter time early in their careers and we weren’t able to do that.

“All good four-year-olds would normally have had an easier three-year-old career.

“We’d ideally be looking at the second half of the year for High Chaparral and you’ d love to have him as an Arc horse in the autumn.

“Last season I didn’t think he would make it back so soon after he had the cough but he’s a hardy customer mentally.”