CORONATION CUP – Winner Pyledriver Owner: La Pyle Partnership Trainer: William Muir & Chris Grassick Jockey: Martin Dwyer Odds: 8/1
One of the best stories from Epsom was the win of PYLEDRIVER from a largely unheralded yard and a small group of owners whose decision to repeatedly turn down big offers from other owners was vindicated by this Group 1 victory.
He was the subject of a terrific ride from veteran pilot Martin Dwyer who was completing the Grand Slam of career Epsom group 1 victories. On seeing that David Probert was slowing the pace on leader HIGHLAND CHIEF, Dwyer shoved his mount to the front at halfway. That injection of pace was to prove crucial later on. Having been headed by AL AASY a furlong out, the 4yo showed real courage to battle back up the hill and get his head in front close home. No doubt races like the King George will now be on the agenda for the winner.
Al Aasy continues on the upward curve and he looked all over the winner when looming to the front from the back of the field. Having already won two Group 3 races by wide margins this season, a Group 1 win looks well within his scope. He acts well with cut, so perhaps an autumn campaign could be on the cards. He looks to have enough pace for 10f, so the Champion Stakes at Ascot could be an option, as indeed could the Arc, for which he is entered.
The two Ballydoyle runners were disappointing, notably MOGUL who ran a lifeless race. He does not seem to have trained on since landing two Group 1 contests abroad last autumn. JAPAN was at least competitive but his form since winning the International Stakes at York in 2019 marks him down as vulnerable at the top level.
