Super 20 For Vodafone Coronation Cup

A fascinating renewal of the #250,000 Vodafone Coronation Cup is in prospect following the forfeit stage on May 15, with 20 of Europe?s best older horses standing their ground in the 12-furlong Group One contest, details of which are announced today.

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Sir Percy landed the Vodafone Derby in dramatic fashion a year ago and he could return to the scene of his greatest triumph on Friday, June 1. If successful, he would be the first Derby winner since Roberto in 1972/1973 to win the Vodafone Coronation Cup the next year.

Yeats was the facile winner of the 2005 Vodafone Coronation Cup and is one of four remaining entries for Aidan O?Brien. Ballydoyle could also be represented by Dylan Thomas, third to Sir Percy in the Vodafone Derby last year and already a dual winner in 2007 with victories in a Listed contest at the Curragh and most recently in the Group One Prix Ganay at Longchamp on April 29. O?Brien?s quartet is completed by the 2005 St Leger hero Scorpion and Septimus, successful on his seasonal reappearance in Group Three company at the Curragh on May 7.

Godolphin can boast an enviable Vodafone Coronation Cup record following victories for Daylami (1999) and Mutafaweq (2001). This year, the Maktoum family?s operation has two remaining entries in Cherry Mix, the 2004 Arc de Triomphe runner-up who was recently fourth on his seasonal reappearance in Italy, as well as Tam Lin, who has yet to appear this season but was successful in Group Three company last term when trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

Last season?s St Leger winner Sixties Icon created a very favourable impression when landing the Group Two StanJamesUK.com Jockey Club Stakes on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket on May 6, when Papal Bull finished fourth.

The French entry is the Francois Rohaut-trained Irish Wells, a Group Two scorer at Deauville in 2006 and last seen out when chasing home Dylan Thomas in the Prix Ganay.

Other interesting contenders still engaged include the 2006 Vodafone Oaks runner-up Rising Cross, the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Confidential Lady, heroine of last season?s French Oaks, 2006 Hardwicke Stakes winner Maraahel, recently victorious in the Group Three Huxley Stakes at Chester for the third year in succession,and the top-class stayer Sergeant Cecil.

Ultra-Competitive Handicaps In Prospect

The two principal handicaps at the Vodafone Derby Festival, the #75,000 Vodafone ?Dash? (run on Vodafone Derby day, Saturday, June 2) and the #75,000 Vodafone Rose Bowl (run on Vodafone Ladies Day, Friday, June 1) both promise to be ultra-competitive affairs.

There are 40 entries remaining in the Vodafone Dash, run over the fastest five furlongs in the world, including nine for Yorkshire handler David Nicholls, who is seeking his fifth win in the contest.

A total of 33 go forward for the Vodafone Rose Bowl, run over 10 furlongs, including three possible representatives from Godolphin.

The maximum field for both races is 20.