Coolmore Coronation Cup quotes: "I think he's a very, very good horse"

Aidan O’Brien is out to prove a thorn in Calandagan’s side once again at Epsom when Jan Brueghel attempts to defend his Coolmore Coronation Cup crown in an intriguing rematch with the world’s best racehorse.

Francis-Henri Graffard’s champion has embarked on a five-race winning streak since his reversal at the hands of the 2024 St Leger winner in this event last year.

However, he will face a stern examination against a clutch of Ballydoyle contenders, with O’Brien also saddling not only Jan Brueghel but also last year’s dual Derby hero Lambourn and the likely pacemaker Illinois.

Jan Brueghel and Lambourn were both successful at Chester last month, with the former breezing to victory in the Ormonde Stakes before Lambourn toughed out a hard-fought win over an inadequate trip in the Huxley Stakes 24 hours later.

O’Brien said: “We’re very happy with Lambourn. He had a very good run at Chester and we were surprised he was able to win over a mile and a quarter so he’s obviously improved since last year and a mile and a half will suit him well.

“Jan Brueghel is a solid, hardy horse and we were delighted with him in Chester as well. He stays very well and he’s a hardy customer. He handled Epsom well last year, he’s had the prep and everything has gone well in that – we couldn’t be happier with him.”

The potential dark horse in the field is the Karl Burke-trained Convergent, who was narrowly beaten in the German Derby before winning at Group Three and Group Two level last season and he looks ready to take his game to another level this term judged on his comeback victory in the John Porter at Newbury.

“We think he’s a very, very good horse and we’ll find out how good he is,” said Burke.

“He handles some cut in the ground, but I wouldn’t necessarily want it bottomless for him. He hated the real heavy ground in Germany at the end of last season, but equally he was over the top by then. Good to soft ground would be perfect.

“There’s a bit of pace in the race with pacemakers and other horses that like to go forward, so it should turn into a stamina test which I think he wants.

“We’ll see what happens, but I couldn’t be happier with the horse himself.”

The six-strong field is completed by George Scott’s Bay City Roller, who finished a neck second to Lambourn at Chester before then filling the runner-up spot behind fellow British raider Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh two weeks ago.

Scott said: “We’ve always said when we have our conditions we will run this year and it’s going to be fascinating to see what ground we do actually get on Saturday.

“He’s going to enjoy conditions, I think, and he came out of Ireland really well. He’s a really unique character in that he takes his racing as well as any horse in the yard – he just loves his racing.

“It’s great to be a part of such an exciting race and I think he is still underestimated a little bit, but he’s a high-class horse who will enjoy conditions and will go there fit.

“He more than deserves his place in that field and we’re looking forward to it.”