Super Seven Remain in Investec Coronation Cup
30/05/11

This year’s Investec Coronation Cup (2.45pm) is shaping up to be a true battle of the sexes with Group One-winning colt St Nicholas Abbey and outstanding mare Midday heading seven six-day confirmations for the mile and a half Group One on first day of the Investec Derby Festival.

Midday
© JC Briens

One of the brightest juvenile talents of recent years, St Nicholas Abbey rounded off a stellar two-year-old campaign in 2009 with a stunning victory in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, but he only made one appearance last term, coming home sixth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Montjeu colt has returned to form with a vengeance this season and heads to Epsom on the back of a scintillating nine-length success in the Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 6.

Midday also goes into the Investec Coronation Cup in winning form, having posted an impressive victory on her seasonal return in the Group Two Middleton Stakes at York on May 12. Khalid Abdulla’s home-bred has gained five Group/Grade One successes for her trainer Henry Cecil and was beaten a head by Sariska on her latest visit to Epsom Downs in the 2009 Investec Oaks.

Dandino
© Racehorse Photos

O’Brien may also be represented by Cape Blanco, who registered a pair of Group One victories last season in the Irish Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes, as well as the lightly-raced Await The Dawn, who was a convincing winner of the Group Three Huxley Stakes at Chester on May 5.

Dandino landed the Investec Vincent O'Brien Handicap at the Investec Derby Festival last season and the James Given-trained four-year-old has progressed to Group Two glory in the QIPCO Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on April 30, while stable companion Indian Days triumphed in a Group Two in Turkey last year. The Roger Charlton-trained Clowance, fourth in the 2008 Oaks and runner-up in the Irish St Leger the following year, completes the septet going forward.

GOING

The going at Epsom Downs is currently GOOD.

THE INVESTEC CORONATION CUP

Group One, £250,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.45pm, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 3, 2011. For four-year-olds and upwards, one mile, four furlongs and 10 yds. Weights; colts and geldings 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed April 5, entries revealed April 6 (27 entries), scratchings deadline May 17 (15 remained), six-day confirmation & £20,000 supplementary stage May 28 (7 confirmations), final declaration stage 10.00am, June 1. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Friday, May 27.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer

10/11-1 AWAIT THE DAWN (USA) 4 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE

1210-(4)4 CAPE BLANCO (IRE) 4 Fitri Hay/Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

4/24/010- CLOWANCE 6 Seasons Holidays Roger Charlton

1200-11 DANDINO 4 Elite Racing Club James Given

1160-13 INDIAN DAYS 6 David Fish James Given

21112-1 MIDDAY 5 Khalid Abdulla Henry Cecil

11/6-31 ST NICHOLAS ABBEY (IRE) 4 Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE

7 six-day confirmations
3 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING 8 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED:
CAMPANOLOGIST (USA), CAVALRYMAN, FAME AND GLORY, JAN VERMEER (IRE), MONTEROSSO, SCALO, SO YOU THINK (NZ), WORKFORCE