EPSOM

3:25 JUDDMONTE CORONATION CUP (GROUP 1) (CLASS 1) (4yo+) 1m4f

BIG ROBERT 9-0 ~ Well beaten in both races this season and the colt looks well out of his depth.

GETAWAY 9-0 ~ Ran over staying distances last season and only stepped down in trip for the Group 1 Arc where he stayed on best to finish 4th. He has clearly been trained over the winter to be a mile and a half horse this season and he showed good speed to win the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket. He powered away to win an extremely impressive 3¾ lengths from St Leger winner Sixties Icon. He looks to be a colt to look out for in the top middle distance races this season and given his trainers fine record in this race he is the one they all have to beat. That is reflected in the price but the only negative is how well the 4yo will handle the track as it’s unlike anything he’s faced over the channel.

MACARTHUR 9-0 ~ Something of a hype horse last season but after disappointing in the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes he was given a break. He returned with more substance and finished 3rd in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes the main trial for the Group 1 St Leger. He then lined up in the oldest classic in the world where he finished an unlucky 6th when trapped in at a vital stage. He looked to be a progressive individual who still hadn’t fulfilled his undoubted potential. So it was more than disappointing when he made his reappearance at the Curragh. However there were excuses for his well beaten 7th as he was held up at the back on the pack on testing ground and he was never really in the race. The yard were also having a slow start to the season but at Chester next time he proved that Curragh effort all wrong when winning the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes in impressive fashion. He cruised behind the leaders and when given room to go on he showed a good turn of foot to stretch on and beat the field easily. Today is a much tougher race but he looks one of the yards 4yo improvers and he should have plenty of pace to be equally effective over a mile and a half. The ground is in his favour and today should be the acid test on what we should expect for the rest of the season.

MULITDIMENSIONAL 9-0 ~ Has been well touted by his trainer but regularly seems to disappoint. He was unlucky in the Group 1 Champion Stakes last season as he was badly knocked about before staying on well in the circumstances. This season however he has looked below form. He might not have been suited by the slow pace behind Phoenix Tower on his reappearance and then maybe wouldn’t have liked Chester so there could be excuses. However this track isn’t likely to suit him better than Chester and in this company there won’t be any room for error. He could be an improver for the trip and he is still lightly races. One to watch out for next time out if guaranteed a decent pace at a galloping track.

PAPAL BULL 9-0 ~ Very talented but extremely quirky and not a horse to one rely on. Ryan Moore will earn his riding fee as he’ll be hard at work after a couple of furlongs. He has run once here before in the Derby behind Sir Percy and he was never travelling. He can’t be backed to win in todays company and Coolmore have lost patience selling him over the winter.

RED ROCKS 9-0 ~ Winner of the Breeders Cup two years ago and comfortable winner of the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes last season. He struggled a little though last year against the best of the middle distance performers but most of those efforts were over 10f, a trip short of his best. The return to a mile and half will help and he made a satisfactory reappearance on the all weather at Lingfield. However he looks sure to just fall short again and a place is probably all he can hope for.

SOLIDER OF FORTUNE 9-0 ~ Has something to find with Youzmain and Getaway on the Group 1 Arc form last season. Undoubtedly his best piece of form last season was his run away victory in the Irish Derby and he would prefer soft conditions to been sent o full effect. However he is more than able on this ground and he has been well backed in anticipation of a big bold but he maybe a little ring rusty after 8 months off the track. He also has to improve and he looked one paced when 5th in the Derby here last season so this track might not suit.

SONG OF HIAWATHA 9-0 ~ Used as a pacemaker in some top races last season and that is again highly probable again today. He has finished last on all three starts in Group company and expect him to be beating a quick retreat 3 furlongs out.

YOUMZAIN 9-0 ~ 2nd in last seasons Group 1 Arc is without doubt the best piece of form on offer but it was something of a surprise as he hadn’t looked capable all season of getting with a length of Dylan Thomas. He was very one paced when lining up in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic and he definitely isn’t one to rely on as his form has always been a little in and out. Also Getaway looks to have improved this season and should improve past the Mick Channon 5yo. He has a chance on the best of his form but that may not be enough against an improving Getaway.  

ANNA PAVLOVA 8-11 ~ Showed at Longchamp last season that in soft ground there aren’t many better middle distance mares. However on good ground against the best of the colts over a mile and half she is sure to struggle.

TURBO LINN 8-11 ~ Former bumper winner but transferred that form to the flat where she managed to win the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks. She managed to win 8 races on the spin so a real genuine performer. She probably had enough for the season when well beaten in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes at the St Leger meeting so she can be forgiven that lackluster performance. Her reappearance under top weight in a Listed Hamilton handicap was very pleasing as she wouldn’t have been suited by the slow pace and was only beaten a head by Eradicate. The colt that could make up into a Group horse was receiving 9lbs and had the advantage of race fitness and having the run of the race. This is a much tougher race however and she’ll need to improve considerably to be competitive.

CONCLUSION

Getaway looks to be a very exciting colt this season and he has improved since his run in the Arc at the end of last season. He looks to possesses plenty of pace and the Arc looks his for the taking. This should be a stepping stone for greater things and Andre Fabre has a record in this race that is unrivalled. He’ll prove a tough nut to crack even for Soldier Of Fortune who probably would prefer a more galloping track and more cut in the ground. Youmzain would be a danger but he is very in and out as well as lacking the scope of the favourite. Macarthur looks a horse with a bright future and it’s interesting that he has been kept in training as a 4yo. He flattered to deceive early in his career but the manner of his victory at Chester last time was impressive and he couldn’t have done it any easier. Plenty of further progression looks likely and he should have more than enough pace for a race like this.

4pt WIN – GETAWAY @ 11/8
2pt PLACE – MACARTHUR @ 3.55

RESULT

GETAWAY 5th = -4pts
MACARTHUR 3rd = +4.84pts