O'Brien pleased with St Nic Aidan O'Brien wants St Nicholas Abbey to show he remains a colt of the highest calibre by claiming Group 1 honours in tomorrow's Investec Coronation Cup. A spellbinding juvenile campaign was rounded off by success in the Racing Post Trophy but his Classic year proved a big disappointment. After being beaten into sixth when hot favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, St Nicholas Abbey had the rest of the year off, with his comeback third at the Curragh suggesting his best days may be behind him. But just when most had given up on him, the four-year-old showed the old sparkle remained when running out a nine-length winner of Chester's Ormonde Stakes. He returns to the top table in a five-runner field that includes Henry Cecil's multiple Group 1-winning mare Midday. "We were obviously delighted with him at Chester and we were happy with his first run at the Curragh," O'Brien told At The Races. "That was his first run in a long time, the ground was very soft and it was just a messy race. He came out of the race very well and we were looking forward to Chester with him, as we always thought he was a very brilliant horse. "He was always very special and everyone saw that as a two-year-old. The mistake I made was training him for the Guineas, as it was probably a rushed preparation. "It all happened too quick and we paid the penalty for doing it. He had a hard race before he was ready for it and it just set him back, so we just put a line through the whole season. "You always try and learn from mistakes. We took a chance and I probably shouldn't have done it. We're lucky, as we don't think it has left a scar on him and we've been very happy with him since Chester. "This is his first step up into Group 1 company as a four-year-old so it is a big jump up, but we're happy with him and it will be a good test for him. He got the trip well in Chester and we're looking forward to the run." Meanwhile Henry Cecil is hoping Midday can give him that elusive first success in the Coronation Cup. Last month's Middleton Stakes heroine seeks to become the first filly or mare to land the prize since In The Groove in 1991. "She seems very well in herself. It's the first time taking on the colts (in a Group 1)," said Cecil. "She's just coming to herself so hopefully will give a good account. She seems to be a filly who improves as the year goes on."
