Abbey primed to land Coronation Cup glory

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 02.06.2012

Email:

racing preview

Aidan O' Brien's Sir Nicholas Abbey is a confident selection to land the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom this afternoon.

The globetrotting colt competes at the highest level around the world and his wins last year included this event and the Breeders' Cup Turf. He reappeared with an excellent neck second in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March and his latest disappointing defeat is easily excused in very testing ground at the Curragh. The fast conditions here should prove ideal and he appears a cut above his rivals with Joseph O'Brien in the saddle.

Main danger for the £300,000 prize money comes from William Haggas's Beaten Up. The 4-y-o created quite an impression in winning his first three starts in style last season, slamming Al Kazeem in the St Simon Stakes at Newbury over this trip in October. He was far from discredited in Meydan on his comeback (sixth behind Sir Nicholas Abbey), and he remains open to a deal of improvement after just four career runs.

John Gosden's Masked Marvel made great strides in 2011, landing a useful Goodwood listed race and a Group 3 at Newmarket prior to a decisive win in St Leger. He may well have found the going too testing on his return and better is expected now back on a fast surface under William Buick.

Red Cadeaux is a model of consistency at the top table, building on a clear second on the all-weather at Kempton with a decisive win in the Yorkshire Cup 15 days ago. He will lack nothing in race fitness and his toughness means he is a strong contender for the frame, but he does lack the class of our selection and a supporting role may be the best he can hope for.

Quest for Peace has been a real moneyspinner for connections, and was very progressive in 2011, bagging a 1m4f Roscommon listed race for Aidan O'Brien and a Ascot Group 3 for his new yard. He was a respectable second to Al Kazeem in the Jockey Club Stakes on his return, but doesn't look up to this warm Group 1 despite the assistance of Kieran Fallon.

In summary, Sir Nicholas Abbey is a class act who will relish the fast ground after getting stuck in a bog at the Curragh last time. He is one for the big hitters at around 4-5 this morning but is well worth a maximum bet to get back on the winning trail this season.

Stephen's Saturday Nap Sir Nicholas Abbey 2.40 Epsom

Keep track of Stephen's Daily Nap's on our BettingExpert Daily Naps page.

Enter our £5,000 Horse Racing Tipping Competition. It's on now sponsored by Betfred.

Follow Stephen on Twitter :@stephenh61

You must be logged in to post a comment! Sign up + or log in in the top right corner.