Coolmore Coronation Cup |
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| Group 1, Newmarket 14:40 £425,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1  |
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Lambourn is likely to head here next after making a winning return to action in the Deepbridge Huxley Stakes at Chester.
Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby winner returned to the Roodee, where he first advertised his top-class credentials 12 months earlier when landing the Chester Vase before going on to Classic victories at both Epsom and the Curragh.
LAMBOURN IS BACK! 😍
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 8, 2026
The dual Derby-winning hero leads them all the way and fends off Bay City Roller in gutsy fashion to take out the Huxley Stakes...@ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/MrjvbCopIR
Sent off the 6-4 favourite and sporting first-time cheekpieces, Lambourn was quickly sent to the front by Ryan Moore, with George Scott’s Group One-winning Bay City Roller tracking him throughout the Group Two contest under Oisin Murphy.
The pair dominated proceedings from an early stage and it was Bay City Roller who appeared to be travelling the stronger as he moved stylishly alongside entering the home straight. However, Lambourn dug deep when challenged and responded willingly to Moore’s urgings to prevail by a neck.
Convergent is set to face the sternest examination of his career when he takes on these world-class rivals.
Karl Burke’s steadily progressive son of Fascinating Rock has developed into one of the most intriguing middle-distance performers in training, and connections are relishing the opportunity to test him against the very best on Derby day.
Standing in his way is the outstanding Calandagan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, who has been unbeaten since his narrow defeat to Aidan O’Brien’s Jan Brueghel in last year’s Coronation Cup.
Both Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are expected to return to Epsom for another high-class clash, but Burke believes his improving colt deserves the opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Convergent has steadily climbed through the ranks following a heartbreaking defeat in the German Derby, responding with victories in both Ireland and France before making a stylish seasonal return in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury.
That latest performance further strengthened the impression that he belongs in elite company.
“He’s in great form and I’ve been very happy with him,” said Burke.
“He’s not done any serious work since Newbury, but we’re about to build him up ahead of the Coronation Cup.
“We’re definitely heading to Epsom with him and we’re obviously taking on Calandagan, which will be interesting, but he deserves his chance in Group One races and you have to take on the best in these races.”
With proven Group One stars and an emerging challenger converging on Epsom, this year’s Coronation Cup already looks set to provide one of the highlights of the early summer campaign.
Coronation Cup
£425,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 4f, Class 1
18 remaining entries
Going:
(Form as of May 08)
