Morning all,

It’s the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend today and not one but two Bank Holiday’s. Were also on the eve of the Cazoo Derby Festival.

Whilst the feature race of tomorrow’s Epsom card is the Oaks, which I will look at in Friday’s column. There’s also another Group 1 on a seven-race card and it’s the Coronation Cup. This historic race which was first run in 1902 and been won in the past 50-years by some great horses. Mill Reef, Rainbow Quest, Triptych, Time Charter, Daylami, Yeats and more recently St Nicholas Abbey three times between 2011 & 2013 are among the winners.

The lack of high-quality older middle-distance horses means the race tends to suffer from small fields and the last ten running’s of the race have averaged 6.8 runners. This year is no different with just six declared. The quality of the race in recent years can be questioned and a lack of real quality is evident in this renewal. In fact, when you glance at the entries, you wonder if this is a genuine Group 1 race or a Group 2 masquerading as one.

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to tomorrow’s Group 1 Coronation Cup. Plus, there’s another trainer to follow in June and a preview of today’s Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar.

Coronation Cup Preview – Epsom

Last year’s winner Pyledriver bids to defend his crown after an unlucky run in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan back in March. He must have a good chance of back-to-back wins. However, is he really a Group 1 colt? A very good one, yes. As good as other of the previous winners mentioned, not for me.  

His rivals include Hukum who goes in search of a first Group 1 success, and he’s got a chance of gaining one. He was ¾ length behind Pyledriver, when 7^th, in the Sheema Classic. He’s a good quality Group 2/3 performer though but not a genuine Group 1 performer.

Manobo won a 1m 6f Group 3 at Meydan over the winter before finishing a ½-length second of 13 in Dubai Gold Cup (2m) last time. That was the 4-year-old’s first defeat in a six-race career. The drop back to 1m 4f shouldn’t inconvenience the gelding who has potential to do better.

Living Legend is lightly raced for a 6-year-old. He was off the track for more than two years before returning last August. He comes into the race in the form of his life.  Having completed a hat trick after winning the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket last time. Not underestimated if getting his own way out in front.

High Definition a very useful juvenile who was fancied for last year’s Derby before missing that race. His three-year-old season was ultimately a massive disappointment. Finally delivering on the big stage when a neck 2nd of 8 to Alenquer in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (1m 2 ½ f) last time. He got an aggressive front running ride last time which played a part in the colts improved performance.

Verdict:

Manobo could still rate higher than he’s shown so far. Pyledriver has a a good chance of following up last year’s success. The return to 1m 4f looks ideal for High Definition and if he can back up his last time effort is the one to beat.

Stats Lab

Over the last two weeks I have highlighted two trainer Johnny Murtagh & Peter Bowen worth following in June. Indeed, Peter Bowen had winner at Cartmel yesterday. Here is my final June trainer and its Henry De Bromhead.

Henry De Bromhead in June

Since 2016 Henry De Bromhead is 44 winners from 201 runners 22% +29.77 93 placed 46% with his NH runners in the month of June. You won’t see any of his real big stars, but we’ll hopefully continue to see profits. As with Peter Bowen he’s another trainer whose runners you should get at early price.

Digging a little deeper into those figures. Its interesting to note that he’s runners returning within 15-days of the previous start are 0 winners from 25 runners 6 placed.

His runners are normally well found in the market with those returned 12/1 & bigger producing 1 winner from 45 runners 2% -30 9 placed 20%.

Concentrating on his runners 11/1 & under that were returning from a 16+day layoff, looks the way to go as they produced 43 winners from 133 runners 33% +82.77 77 placed 58%. Such qualifiers have been profitable each year since 2016, I didn’t include 2020 for obvious reasons.  

Advice: Back Henry De Bromhead NH runners in June that are 11/1 & under and are returning from a 16+day layoff.

Thursday Racing

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday period gets underway with some decent racing including the Racing TV Zetland Gold Cup (4.45) and the Hampton By Hilton Hamilton Park Clyde Handicap (2.36). There’s also Listed action at Leopardstown with the Glencairn Stakes (6:15) along with the King George V Cup (7.20).  I’m off to Redcar for today’s tip.

Redcar

4:45 – Racing TV Zetland Gold Cup Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f

Twelve have been declared for this year’s race. With front runners Forest Falcon, Pride Of American and Cockalorum in the line-up there should be a decent pace. Of those likely to be ridden prominently the preference would be for Forest Falcon who produced a personal best when a neck 2^nd of 8 to Bollin Joan at Ripon 7-days ago. Yard won this in 2015 & 2016.

James Doyle heads North to ride a couple for Hughie Morrison including Stay Well. The 4-year-old stays 1m 4f but he’s equally effective over 1m 2f.  There was plenty to like about his return from a 6-month absence when a head 2nd of 10 to Belloccio at Kempton in April. He’s up 4lb for that effort but should be nicely placed tracking the leaders and remains one to be interested in.

Lightening Company won a handicap here over a mile two starts back. The 4-year-old shaped better than his 3 ½ length 5^th of 13 to Cruyff Turn at York last time. He didn’t get a clear run 2f out that day but once in the clear finished his race off well. Mixed messages on pedigree but there’s a good chance he will stay 1m 2f.

Baryshnikov has won both starts this season but he’s 3lb higher than when successful at Chester last time. He’s also 10lb higher than when 5^th in this race last season but can’t be ruled out given his present form

Turntable looks competitively weighted on his first start beyond 1m 1f. A good ½-length 2^nd of 9 at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance. A strongly run 1m 2f could stretch is stamina though.

Easterby could the key.

Tim Easterby has a couple of live contenders in Bollin Joan & Highwaygrey and I think the trainer holds the key to the race. The first named come into the race in tremendous form having won her last two starts at York & Ripon. She’s in foal and although she has a 4lb penalty to carry for her Ripon win and another big run could be forthcoming. Highwaygrey is arguably the best handicapped horse in the race. He failed to stay 1m 4f at York last time, but the 6-year-old is better over 1m 2f and is 11lb lower than when a strong finishing 1 ¾ length 4^th of 14 in last year’s race. I might have picked the wrong Easterby horse but at the prices its Bollin Joan for me.

Thursday Selection:

Yesterday’s selection Mark’s Choice ran well from stall 1 to finish third at Ripon yesterday. Hopefully today’s selection can go two places better.

Redcar

4:45 – 1pt win – Bollin Joan – 9/1 – Gen.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John