The Coronation Cup

The Coronation Cup brings a clash of the last two Irish Derby winners, Hurricane Lane, winner in 2021, and, Westover winner in 2022.

They’ll face Emily Upjohn, second in the Oaks last year and winner of the Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot and from Ballydoyle, Point Lonsdale, recent winner of the Huxley Stakes at Chester. Peter Schiergen sends Tunnes from Germany, a winner of the Grosser Allianz-Preis von Bayern at home last year.

It’s a cracking contest. While Westover didn’t add to his tally after the Curragh, well beaten in the KIng George at Ascot and also in the Arc, he did show his well-being when running second to possibly the best horse in the world right now Equinox in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

Hurricane Lane added the Leger in his classic year and while off the boil in four subsequent runs he too showed he is back to his best when taking the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket in May.

Point Lonsdale missed last year after disappointing in the Guineas but he also put down a marker in his last two runs winning both starts this year.

It’s a tight market with Westover trading as 9/4 favourite and Tunnes the outsider in the betting at 7/1. In between the one that could come out on top is Hurricane Lane available at 9/2.

Hurricane Lane winning the Irish Derby in 2021

The Oaks

In the Oaks Savethelastdance looks a worthy favourite. A wide-margin 22L winner of the Cheshire Oaks at Chester she can justify favourtism here.

An each-way alternative may be her stable companion, Red Riding Hood. By Justify out of Ballydoyle, she ran second in a Maiden at Naas in March. This Maiden was won by Tuesday last year before conquering in the Oaks. She followed that run with a Maiden win at Dundalk and wasn’t beaten far, a neck, in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last time. The good ground here could see further improvement.

Recommendation

Coronation Cup – Hurricane Lane 9/2 win

The Oaks – Red Riding Hood 40/1 ew