Anthony Van Dyck route to Cornation Cup

Last year’s Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck features among 11 entries for Friday’s Coronation Cup at Newmarket.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt failed to add to his Epsom victory last term, but he did notch up three more Group One places, including when third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

He is one of three possible Ballydoyle challengers along with Derby fourth and fifth, Broome and Sir Dragonet, who was second on his return in March before racing was suspended.

Defoe won the race last year for Roger Varian when it was run at its usual Epsom home and he could try to defend his title, while Ghaiyyath could represent Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Top stayer Stradivarius is in the mix for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori and he could drop back to 12 furlongs in a prep run ahead of his bid for a Gold Cup hat trick at Royal Ascot next month.

Martyn Meade is also aiming at the Gold Cup with Technician and he took could tackle a shorter distance as a warm up.

Andrew Balding’s Alounak, the Mark Johnston-trained Communique, Desert Encounter from David Simcock’s yard and Richard Hannon’s Floating Artist complete the list of possibles.

The Group One has a new backer this year in Sam Haggas’ Hurworth Bloodstock.

Haggas said: “It is an honour to have the opportunity to sponsor such a prestigious and historic race as the Coronation Cup.

“Racing has been my life so far, and it is thrilling to play a small part in the resumption of the sport.

“Moreover, looking at the entries, this year’s renewal of the

Ballymore Coolmore operations horse racing by Andrew Nelis

Comments

Fury to contest the St Ledger Doncaster Andrew Nelis

Trainer Richard Spencer has identified the St Leger at Doncaster as the primary objective for his exciting colt Tyson Fury. The Newmarket handler confirmed in February of last year that the two-time heavyweight world champion had given his blessing for the Iffraaj colt to be named in his honour, with part-owner Phil Cunningham friendly with a member of Fury's team. While it has taken a while for the equine Tyson Fury to hit the racecourse, he produced a knockout display on his Doncaster debut earlier in the month, leaving connections dreaming of a tilt at Classic glory later in the year... Andrew Nelis Racing

Racing pencilled Classics dated Andrew Nelis Racing

From famine to feast. Racing in Britain will return with a glut of big contests provided it gets the green light to resume on June 1 . Provisional plans revealed by the BHA on Wednesday revealed that the first two Classics of the year – the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas sponsored by Qipco - have been inked in for the end of the first week of action. Twenty Listed or Group races have been planned for the first seven days with Royal Ascot following fast on their heels. All will be open to international runners. And once the royal meeting is over, there will be a swift countdown to the Investec Derby and Oaks, which have been pencilled in for July 4. The Guineas will be run within the first week of racing resuming under provisional plans released on Wednesday (Focosonracing) The following days the Coral -Eclipse will be run – exclusively for four-year-olds and older if the Derby and Oaks can be staged the previous day. However, the BHA reiterated that “the exact ti...

Current option wins for Aldo Mcguiness Andrew Nelis Racing

Current Option capped an excellent Galway Festival for trainer Ado McGuinness and apprentice Gavin Ryan with victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Ahonoora" Handicap. McGuinness saddled Saltonstall to land Tuesday's BMW Mile, before Sirjack Thomas doubled his tally on Saturday. Ryan was aboard both horses and had also ridden winners for Dermot Weld and Donnacha O'Brien during the course of the week. Having disappointed behind his stablemate Saltonstall earlier in the week, Current Option was a 15-2 shot for the final day feature. Andrew Nelis Racing

Andrew Nelis racing

Search This Blog