O'Brien targets Ascot glory with Fame
Fame And Glory may head to Royal Ascot for further riches after providing Aidan O’Brien with his fourth Investec Coronation Cup.
Although the colt has now been seen out four times already this term, O’Brien was not ruling out a tilt at the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes after a commendable performance.
Johnny Murtagh made a smart decision to tag along behind his pacemaker Dixie Music, stealing an advantage of at least half a dozen lengths from his serious rivals.
Sariska caught up and challenged quite early in the home straight but whatever she threw at Fame And Glory he batted away and won by a length and a half.
O’Brien said: “He’s tactically very quick now and Johnny said he was always in control. He was cantering.
“We’ll maybe look at the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot depending how he is.”
Sariska’s trainer Michael Bell may consider the King George and 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.”
High Heeled made a cracking debut for John Gosden to be third while Youmzain, runner-up for the past two years, took fourth.
Kieren Fallon confirmed he remains king of Epsom when recording a 90-1 double on the Downs with two typically power-packed rides.
Absent from this meeting since 2006 due to his well-publicised problems, the 45-year-old jockey struck first on Mark Johnston’s Tartan Gigha (6-1) in the Investec Mile.
Johnston’s wife, Deirdre, said: “You could see him coming there with every stride and we were just willing him to get there.
“I am sure Kieren would tell you that he timed it to perfection!”
Fallon went on to complete his brace when coming with another late run to win the Investec Challenge Handicap on Fiery Lad (12-1).
Bushman appears to be better than ever at the age of six as he collected the biggest victory of his career in the Investec Diomed Stakes under William Buick.
Winning a Windsor Listed race in impressive fashion on his seasonal reappearance suggested Bushman (11-1) was in decent heart, but he found another level at Epsom to beat Godolphin’s Alexandros by a neck.
Winning trainer David Simcock said: “I am delighted with him. He has seemed to improve this year and we’ve been a little braver regarding the ground.
“He was unraced at two and three and had a few issues so we have had to be careful. He is lightly-raced and his issues have been ironed out so we’re far more confident with him.”
Former Johnston inmate Shakespearean made an impressive debut for Godolphin when making every yard of the running in the Listed Investec Surrey Stakes.
Sent off at 11-4 on his first start since finishing sixth in the Racing Post Trophy, Frankie Dettori and Shakespearean stole a couple of lengths on the turn for home and the result was never in doubt thereafter.
Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford said: “That was a really good effort and he handled the track very well.
“We might now have a look at the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he’s well entered up.”
Philip Robinson was another jockey to use waiting tactics with success as Michael Jarvis’ Cansili Star (7-1) claimed Treadwell in the final 50 yards of the Investec Opportunity Stakes.
