Coronation Cup runners: Westover rated the one to beat at Epsom
There is plenty of star quality on show once again in this year’s Coronation Cup runners and another fascinating renewal is on the cards at Epsom on Friday.
Pretty Polly, Petite Etoile, Mill Reef, Roberto, Bustino, Triptych and hat-trick hero St Nicholas Abbey are just some of the famous past winners.
Here are this season’s five runners and their 2023 Coronation Cup odds:
Westover @ 2/1
The Ralph Beckett-trained colt finished an unlucky third in the Derby last June before going on to land the Irish version at the Curragh. He already has a run under his belt this season, having chased home Japanese star Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic on World Cup night back in March. “We are not really going back because we feel we have unfinished business, it is more so that Epsom clearly suited him last year,” said Beckett. “He handled the track really well for a big horse. I think inevitably he is physically a more mature horse this year and you can see that in him.”
🗣️"That was a massive performance."@nickluck is expecting a big season from Westover after yesterday's huge run behind Equinox in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.#LuckOnSunday@ABE_Dubai pic.twitter.com/C7c3SBDBfc
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 26, 2023
Emily Upjohn @ 5/2
John and Thady Gosden’s filly returns to the scene of her narrow defeat in last year’s Oaks, when she was edged out in a thrilling finish with Tuesday. Emily Upjohn gained Group One consolation on her final outing of the year in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot last October and bids to make a successful four-year-old debut. Gosden senior said: “She worked nicely over the weekend. Obviously, she was just a short head shy in the Oaks last year, she’s in good form and she seems to be coming to herself now.”
Hurricane Lane @ 10/3
Godolphin pin their hopes on the 2021 Irish Derby and St Leger hero, who roared back to form for trainer Charlie Appleby with a six-length victory in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time out. Winning rider William Buick beamed: “This is the Hurricane Lane that we know, so it is lovely to have him back winning like that. There were a lot of question marks for sure, but everyone was happy with him at home. We were hopeful of that performance, as we thought he was back to his good three-year-old form. It was brilliant when I pressed on into the lead and you couldn’t have asked for anymore of him.”
Hurricane Lane is back 💨
The former St Leger winner absolutely hacks up in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes for team @godolphin.
Could a trip to Epsom and the Coronation Cup be next up?
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 5, 2023
Point Lonsdale @ 7/2
The Australia colt is unbeaten in two starts this season, having followed up his reappearance success in the Alleged Stakes by adding the Huxley Stakes at Chester, to prove he still possesses all the high-class ability he showed when motoring to multiple victories as a juvenile. This will be the four-year-old’s first attempt at this trip, but Aidan O’Brien commented: “It looked the last day like a mile and a half might suit him.”
Tunnes @ 18/1
The Peter Schiergen-trained colt is a fascinating contender, having hacked up in a German Group One by 10 lengths at the backend of last year before an unsuccessful Japan Cup challenge. Tunnes, a half-brother to Arc victor Torquator Tasso, suffered a surprise defeat on his seasonal bow in Cologne, but should strip fitter for that blow-out.
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All odds and markets correct at date of publication
