Class Field For Coronation

Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Shirocco and Ed Dunlop’s globetrotting mare Ouija Board head a select field of six runners in the Vodafone Coronation Cup at Epsom tomorrow.

Shirocco advertised his well-being with an effortless success in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, while Dunlop’s charge was last seen finishing an unlucky third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin.

Aidan O’Brien will be looking to saddle consecutive winners after Yeats’ 2005 success and relies on Breeders’ Cup Turf runner-up Ace in the Group One contest over a mile and a half.

Notable Guest, a narrow runner-up behind Day Flight in the Gordon Richards Stakes last time, represents Sir Michael Stoute, while Enforcer, who was fourth in the same race, reopposes.

The latter is likely to be a big price but William Muir believes he will not disgrace himself, although he is under no illusions at the size of the task facing his four-year-old.

“He ran a wonderful race against Shirocco last time at Newmarket,” said the trainer.

“When Frankie Dettori got back in he said that he thought he was going to win at one stage and it probably cost him third place because he chased the winner.

“He also said that our fellow was definitely Group Two class but he’d never beat the likes of Shirocco and Hurricane Run and I totally agree with him.

“But the programme of this horse means Friday’s race just fits in perfectly, we want him to run at Royal Ascot, probably in the Hardwicke Stakes, I’ll just pick the easiest race.

“In the scheme of things, this race was perfect for him and we’ll see if he can nick a place. He’ll love the track and he won’t mind the ground and he’s in very good form. It would be great if he can run into a place in a Group One.

“Frankie said he definitely stayed a mile and a half and he also thinks we could pick up some nice Group races abroad with him.

“We skipped the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown because I don’t think stiff tracks suit him and he’ll pick up money on Friday even for finishing last. But he won’t (be last), I’ll guarantee that, he’s so competitive.”

The field is completed by David Elsworth’s Something Exciting, who finished second in the Oaks last year but lost her form in the second half of the season.

? PA Sport