15:35 Newmarket

Friday 5 June 2020

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:5518:30

Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 25.89s

(7)

Alounak²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 114

20/1

Trained last year by Waldemar Hickst in Germany and won Group 3 there. Narrowly beaten in Grade 1 Canadian International in October and good fifth in Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November. First start for new connections.

Form: 645125-

(6)

Anthony Van Dyck¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

11/2

Last season's Derby hero returns to the fray having failed to win again after his Epsom triumph. Was solid second in Irish Derby though and third in Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf. Won first time out last year and handles the ground.

Form: 120330-

(2)

Broome³⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117

14/1

Stable companion of Anthony Van Dyck. Beaten just half a length in Derby when very close fourth have won two Group 3's earlier in campaign. Not seen since well beaten in Irish Derby last June but may not be at all far away.

Form: 22/1146-

(3)

Defoe⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 118| D

7/1

Won this race last year when staged at Epsom then followed up in Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Failed by just a short-head at Meydan in March, is a previous C&D winner, but may found ground lively enough.

Form: 42119-2

(5)

Desert Encounter^h⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 115| D

66/1

Real moneyspinner for connections and won four times last term including Grade 1 Canadian International for a second time. Didn't excel in Meydan this winter and now in veteran stage so may find a few too good at this level.

Form: 1111-56

(1)

Ghaiyyath¹⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 126| D

11/10

Smart performer who routed opposition in German Group 1 before struggling in testing ground in Arc. Facile Group 3 winner at Meydan in February and should go very close even if possibly flattered by current 126 rating.

Form: 1/1310-1

(4)

Stradivarius²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 122| BF

4/1

Superstar stayer who won 10 in a row, including stayers Triple Crown last two seasons prior to nose defeat at Ascot in October in Group 2 Long Distance Cup. Back to 1m4f for first time in three years but is a class act and should go close.

Form: 111112-

Forecasts

Ghaiyyath (11/10), Stradivarius (4/1), Anthony Van Dyck (11/2), Defoe (7/1), Broome (14/1), Alounak (20/1), Desert Encounter (66/1)

A fascinating first Group 1 of this truncated season sees last year's Derby hero ANTHONY VAN DYCK bidding to vindicate the decision to keep him in training. He scrambled home at Epsom then was second at the Curragh but showed smart form later and has reportedly been working well. Defoe, winner of this race at Epsom 12 months ago is respected, while Ghaiyyath is the clear pick on figures after two visually impressive wins in his last three starts but is he really a genuine 126 horse? We'll soon find out. Despite dropping back to trip at which he has never won before, Stradivarius could be very dangerous as the star stayer has a high cruising speed and a strong gallop will really suit him.