Epsom 2008 - Friday

3.25pm The Juddmonte Coronation Cup (Group One) 1m 4f 10yds

ANNA PAVLOVA (Richard Fahey)
Provided it does not dry out too much and that looks to be unlikely then there can be no complaints about the going.

The mare has won some good races against her own sex but has yet to translate that form to races against the boys.

The distance will not be a problem and a potential each way shot if any of the principles fail to perform

BIG ROBERT (William Muir)
To be honest totally out of his depth in this race and it would be absolutely astounding if he is involved in the shake up.

GETAWAY (GER) (Andre Fabre FR)
Without any shadow of a doubt the class act in the field. Fourth in the Arc last year he left that form behind him in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. Giving weight to some classy rivals he showed a clean pair of hoof’s to his rivals. Like his esteemed stable predecessor Shirocco he looks to be a late developer and if he runs to anything like his Newmarket form he will be the one to beat.

The only real question mark is how he will handle the track at Epsom.

MACARTHUR (Aidan O'Brien IRE)

One that will not want too much give in the ground. Lost nothing in defeat in the St Leger.

Ran very well in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester after a poor run on unsuitable soft ground previously.

Is clearly a horse on the upgrade and it would be no surprise if he ran on for a place.

MULTIDIMENSIONAL (IRE) (Henry Cecil)

Looks to have been crying out for the step up to 12 furlongs. However another who looks as though he will be outclassed at this level.

PAPAL BULL (Sir Michael Stoute)

It is questionable if the 12 furlongs is going to be a tad on the sharp side factor in his tendency to hand and the step up in class – there is seemingly little to recommend this Stoute challenger.

If the race was a lower grade over 14 furlongs then I would lump on. But it isn’t!!!  

RED ROCKS (IRE) (Brian Meehan)

The enigma of the field.

If he runs to his best he is more than capable of taking this race. However it is a big if.

His win at recent Lingfield was good but what did he beat?

On the plus side he is likely to go off at a decent price and must be worth a small investment just in case.

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)

It is almost as if a different horse ran in the Epsom and Irish Derby’s last year. The improvement in the horse was phenomenal.

Add in the fact the horse will not be disadvantaged by the appearance of the word soft anywhere in the going report and we have the one horse most likely to give Getaway a decent run for his money.

SONG OF HIAWATHA (Aidan O'Brien IRE)

Just one word sums up his reason for being here – pacemaker!!

Not much else to say really.

TURBO LINN (Alan Swinbank)

The poor girl made good story of 2007. After an unbeaten campaign in bumpers she
switched to the flat, winning the Lancashire Oaks on only her second flat start. She lost her unbeaten tag at the end of last season and had a satisfactory comeback run at Hamilton a fortnight ago.

A classy performer in her own right but like Anna  Pavlova, has it all to prove against the boys.

YOUMZAIN (IRE) (Mick Channon)

Has managed just a single Group 1 win in a weak contest in Germany. Found one better in both the Eclipse and Arc last year and may well have to chase the leaders home again in this one.

 

4.05pm The Juddmonte Oaks (Group One) 1m 4f 10yds

This is probably the easiest of the three big races of the meeting in terms of finding a winner.

There are some reasonable fillies entered but the one that stands out head and shoulders above the rest is Lush Lashes. She relished the step up in distance in the Musidora at your and the extra 1 1/2 furlongs at Epsom shouldn't pose any problem. It wasn't only the fact she won at York it was the manner in which she demolished the field in what was the strongest of the Oaks trials.

Cape Amber was the runner-up to Lush Lashes at York and she looks to have some scope for improvement, whether she has sufficient improvement ro reverse the placings is open to debate but I would have thought unlikely.

Chinese White has won on both here racecourse appearances and is one that will be suited by any going. She ran green last time out in a kisted race at Gowran Park and she certainly has scope for improvement and at 5/1 she is reasonable each way value. It is had to say if she will have sufficient improvement to beat the favourite but I feel she has a better chance than Cape Amber.

The other unknown factor is Katiyra, another Irish raider. A runner up over a mile at Leopardstown last time out trainer John Oxx says the mile was too sharp for her and she needs further. Clearly that assessment has to be taken on trust but connections do know the time of day.

On all known form, however, it is hard to ignore the favourite Lush Lashes.

 

Current entries.

ADORED (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)
CAPE AMBER (IRE) (Peter Chapple-Hyam)
CHINESE WHITE (IRE) (Dermot Weld IRE)
CLOWANCE (Roger Charlton)
ICE QUEEN (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)
KATIYRA (IRE) (John Oxx IRE)
LOOK HERE (Ralph Beckett)
LUSH LASHES (Jim Bolger IRE)
MICHITA (USA) (John Gosden)
MIRACLE SEEKER (Clive Cox)
MOONSTONE (Aidan O'Brien IRE)
SAIL (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)
Saphira's Fire (Willie Muir) SUPPLEMENTED
SAVETHISDANCEFORME (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)
SUGAR MINT (IRE) (Barry Hills)
TIFFANY DIAMOND (IRE) (Aidan O'Brien IRE)