Fame And Glory triumphs for O'Brien

Fame And Glory gave Aidan O'Brien his fourth win in the Coronation Cup at Epsom with a battling display under Johnny Murtagh.

The four-year-old, sent off the 5-6 favourite having finished second to Sea The Stars in the Derby here 12 months ago, was handily placed throughout as his stablemate Dixie Music cut out the early running.

As he dropped away, last year's Oaks winner Sariska loomed up as a major danger and the two of them settled down to fight it out.

Sariska looked like sweeping past at the top of the straight, but Fame And Glory was not for passing and he found more in the final furlong to pass the post a length and a half ahead.

Murtagh said: "He just missed the stalls a little bit today. He didn't jump out very well.

"There didn't look to be too much pace in the race, so I said to Seamus (Heffernan) I'd probably be following you (on Dixie Music). He works with him all the time and knows him well.

"The horse on my inside (Jukebox Jury) had me a little bit keen early on.

"He's a real champion and I liked the way he knuckled down in the last furlong."

O'Brien said: "Johnny said he was always in control and he was cantering.

"It was always the plan to go for the two big races, the Tattersalls Gold Cup and this, but we might have a look at the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot depending how he is.

"He could then have a break after that."

Sariska's trainer Michael Bell said: "It's hard to be really happy in defeat but I think in this circumstance we are - a filly taking on a very good colt.

"I thought two out we were going to come and beat him, but he found again. He's a very good horse.

"She's a star. I love training her and I love having her in the yard.

"Jamie (Spencer) said the ground was not ideal. She is effective on it but softer ground plays to her strengths.

"She'll win anther Group One this year and I'd love it to be one against the colts.

"We'll have to talk to Lady Bamford (owner) about the King George and obviously we'll have the option of dropping in against fillies again, but I'd love to take the colts on again. That's what it's all about."

John Gosden, trainer of the third home High Heeled, added: "We were going to go to the Middleton Stakes at York but the ground was too quick and I couldn't be more thrilled with that run, first time out against the colts.

"She could have done with a little bit more juice in the ground but like I say, I'm thrilled with her."

Mick Channon's stable stalwart Youmzain finished a creditable fourth having filled the runner-up spot for the past two years.

"He's run a good race again but he's not getting any younger and it's getting harder for him," said Channon.

"We've given a Group One winner, an Irish Derby winner and a horse who was the favourite a 10-length start and I don't understand it, but I'm a trainer and not a jockey.

"These things do happen and I'm pleased with the horse. We'll have a look at Saint-Cloud again as well as the King George and then go back to the Arc eventually."