Coronation Cup: Will Al Riffa shine at Epsom? Epsom’s Derby Festival is fast approaching and there are two Group 1s on the first day. The Oaks is probably the more significant of the two but the Coronation Cup is shaping up to be an excellent race in its own right. Joseph O’Brien could send over multiple Group 1-winner Al Riffa and the 117-rated horse provides a high level of form going into the race. We’re going to take a close look at his profile and assess his chances of coming out on top, if he lines up at Epsom. BoyleSports Betting Offer If you already have a BoyleSports account, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses Group 1 winner at two The son of Wootton Bassett made his debut in a 7f maiden at the Curragh in July 2022 when finishing an eye-catching second, and the way he ran on well under Dylan Browne McMonagle was one of a number of positives taken from that effort. Positive tactics were employed over the same course and distance next time out and Al Riffa managed to land the win, getting the better of an Aidan O’Brien runner who went on to win by five lengths two starts later. A step up in grade then followed as connections went straight for the Group 1 National Stakes and he duly obliged, finishing powerfully to score by a length-and-a-quarter at the expense of subsequent top level scorer Proud And Regal. Injury impacted three-year-old campaign Injury setbacks meant that we didn’t see Al Riffa until July the following summer and he was a well beaten second in the Group 3 International Stakes at the Curragh. Understandably he was lacking a bit of sharpness and improvement was always going to be on the cards. It was a much improved display in France next time when finishing second to the subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact in Group 2 company, beaten less than a length that day. Returning to winning ways at four Al Riffa started his four-year-old campaign back in France and he was again less than a length away from the winner, despite only finishing fourth in the Prix Ganay. Struggling in the US after that, he then produced an excellent display to finish second to City Of Troy in the Eclipse. Finishing just a length behind the Ballydoyle superstar marked a return to form and a sign that he was getting back on track. Connections then made the wise decision to try 1m4f for the first time in the Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten and he was far too good for them. His rivals could get nowhere near him and he was value for more than the five-length official margin. Epsom on the agenda Al Riffa was a little disappointing in the Arc and was a well beaten 11th and his form so far this season suggests he has a bit to find. It’s going to be a hot race this year, with the likes of Jan Brueghel and Calandagan among the potential runners and he’ll need to be at his best. If O’Brien’s five-year-old can put his best foot forward, there’s every reason to believe he will be competitive, despite the depth of the race. That being said, he now needs to prove that the same level of ability remains but you wouldn’t want to rule him out.
