Epsom Coronation Cup betting and odds

The Coronation Cup betting preview

The spotlight might be on the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday but the Coronation Cup provides a welcome distraction in the build up to Derby day, writes Mikey Mumford. This Group One race is open to thoroughbreds aged four years and older and runners will travel 1m4f; the same distance of both the Oaks and the Derby. A small field of five will tackle the event this year and it certainly makes up for what it lacks in quantity with quality. Henry Cecil’s Midday and Ballydoyle’s St Nicholas Abbey will go head to head in what promises to be a fascinating encounter. Free £25 bet from William Hill on any race at Epsom.

Dandino is a consistent sort for James Given and despite a poor showing in the Leger last year he has hit the ground running in 2011 with game successes at Ripon and Newmarket respectively. He has won over this distance before so there can be no qualms about the trip and is seen at his best on good to firm ground. Paul Mulrennan partners this four-year-old colt and he could easily upset his 9/1 odds and give both Midday and St Nicholas Abbey a lot to think about.

His reappearance at Newbury in April combined with a creditable third behind eventual winner Dandino, has given Indian Days renewed hope of mounting a challenge in the Coronation Cup. He seems to be getting better with age but this six-year-old is clearly James Given’s second string and he could be left chasing shadows here. Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan takes the ride but looks aout of his depth a little here.

He was ruled out of the Derby last year despite a large number of ante-post bets leading up to the race last June. St Nicholas Abbey’s withdrawal was deemed to not have stood the rigorous preparation necessary for Epsom last year and few believed they would never see Aidan O’Brien’s charge on a racecourse again. But after his disappointing sixth in the 2,000 Guineas last year he banished the memories of a humiliating defeat at the Curragh where he was 4/11 favourite with an easy win at Chester latest. He beat useful type Harris Tweed that day and bookmakers have run for cover here and list him at 10/11 to scoop the Coronation. A little short to be getting stuck into; but it looks a two-horse race between him and Midday.

Roger Charlton’s Clowance (40/1) is the rank outsider for this event despite a win in the John Smith’s Stakes at Newbury last year. Is relatively unexposed for a six-year old with only eight starts but has been absent since October and has it all to do here.

His most impressive performance at York last time where he easily dispatched of stablemate Timepiece and Music Show, rightly earned Midday all the plaudits. A similar run to last year’s Oaks where he was just held by Sariska should make him hard to beat here. The Henry Cecil trained and the Khalid Abdulla owned mare is genuine and looks the better value at 6/4; can account for St Nicholas Abbey. Midday stays the 1m4f and acts well on good ground.

The Coronation Cup should well and truly get Epsom’s two-day meeting off with a bang. It looks a two-horse race on paper; St Nicholas Abbey looked good on her Chester run but was easily turned over on her penultimate start at massive odds on which doesn’t bode confidence. Therefore, MIDDAY gets the vote; she acts around here and Henry Cecil is in good form and Midday can give it another boost. Free £25 bet from William Hill on any race at Epsom.

By Mikey Mumford

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