Emily Upjohn | Horse Racing Free Tips

Coronation Cup Eyed for Emily Upjohn Comeback

John and Thady Gosden's Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will possibly return in Epsom's G1 Coronation Cup June 2 as her first start since capturing the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. Oct. 15. She was initially set to return in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan but missed the opportunity having not come to hand as quickly as liked and returns to Epsom after being narrowly denied when sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Oaks at the Surrey venue last year.

“She ran a huge race in the Oaks when just beaten there and had a nice swansong (at Ascot) at the end of last year,” Thady Gosden told Racing TV's Luck On Sunday. “She was heading towards Dubai but with the cold weather in the spring, it didn't quite work out. Obviously she would have been taking on Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) which would have been an interesting one. The Coronation Cup would be a nice early one to start with if she's ready in time, but we'll see how she is and she'll tell us.”

Another star filly from the Gosden string staying in training as a 4-year-old is G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who could head to Newbury on May 20 for the G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S., with all the top mile races on her radar this term.

“She's wintered well and is in good order, enjoying her training and looks great,” continued Gosden. “She is obviously a top-class miler and all these mile races will be the ones for her. She is certainly an independently minded filly. She has plenty of character but is exceptionally talented.”

A return to Royal Ascot could be on the cards for three-time G1 Dubai Turf winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 7-year-old could bid to repeat his G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes success of 2020 when running on home soil this summer.

“He had a slightly curtailed one last year and it was fantastic to get him back for the Dubai Turf–it was a good team effort there,” Gosden said. “He won the Prince of Wales's Stakes two years ago and he is a horse you could look towards that with.”

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Torquator Tasso and Westover to Clash in King George

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is among the six five-day confirmations for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. at Ascot on Saturday, along with Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

The 5-year-old German raider was given the green light after a gallop on Monday morning at Mulheim, where he is trained by Marcel Weiss for owner Gestut Auenquelle. He bids to emulate compatriots Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) and Novellist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), who won Britain's premier weight-for-age race in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Torquator Tasso, the easy winner of the G2 Hansa-Preis at Hamburg on his most recent outing on July 2, worked over 11 furlongs with his regular jockey Rene Piechulek, with Weiss declaring that he was “very happy” with the horse's final serious prep for Saturday.

“It was a very important piece of work and it gives me a lot of confidence because I saw the horse like he was last year and he's getting better and better through the season,” said the trainer.

“After the Arc we worked out a plan for this year and it was a wish of the owner to go to Ascot before going back to the Arc. Danedream also won the Arc and then the King George for Germany, which tells you that you can try to do it and you can win.”

With record temperatures in England in the early part of this week and only the odd shower of rain possible at Ascot prior to Saturday the ground is unlikely to be too different from its current status of good to firm, good in places.

Weiss added, “The ground will not be a problem; Ascot is a very nice track and it is kept in good condition, especially for the quality horses this weekend.

“At Hamburg he won on fast ground. He's just maybe a bit better when the ground is softer, but he can go on every ground.”

Completing a classy field for the weekend's feature race are the Group 1 winners Broome (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) and Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

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Keane Keeps The Ride Aboard Irish Derby Hero Westover in King George

Colin Keane will maintain his partnership with G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. at Ascot next week.

The news was confirmed by Barry Mahon, general manager for owners Juddmonte, at the Curragh on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett's colt was ridden by Rob Hornby on his first two starts this year, winning the G3 Classic Trial S. at Sandown before finishing third in the Derby at Epsom, but Keane was aboard for the colt's greatest triumph in the Irish Derby last month.

The Juddmonte team are keen to keep the winning partnership intact and, speaking to Racing TV, Mahon said, “We're very excited, the horse is in good form. I spoke with Ralph this morning, he's very happy with him and all being well in the next few days, he's set to go to the King George and Colin Keane will ride him.”

He added, “[There's] no major thinking [behind the decision], he won on him the last day, he's a three-times champion jockey and we have a very close association with him.

“He's ridden two Classic winners for us and we have a special arrangement with him that when his first retainer Ger Lyons doesn't use him, we can have his services and he's available next weekend and Ger has kindly let him off to ride the horse, so he will stay on board.”

Racing fans may have been denied the rematch between Westover and his Derby conqueror Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at Ascot on Saturday when Sir Michael Stoute was forced to rule his unbeaten colt out of the race after he suffered a setback.

However, no sooner had Desert Crown been scratched, Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who missed the Irish equivalent due to travel complications, was re-rerouted to Ascot.

Mahon commented, “We're very excited. We were in this position before the Irish Derby with [Oaks winner] Tuesday getting supplemented, so we're used to surprises.”

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Emily Upjohn Ruled Out Of Irish Oaks Due To Travel Complications

An Emily Upjohn (GB)-shaped hole has been blown into the G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks after John and Thady Gosden were forced to rule the daughter of Sea The Stars (Ire) out of Saturday's Group 1 contest at the Curragh. As short as 2-5 with some betting firms, Emily Upjohn will miss the Curragh Classic after the Gosden team were faced with travel complications ahead of the journey across the Irish Sea.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo) has hardened into a general even-money favourite for the Irish Oaks in Emily Upjohn's absence. The shock news means that just seven fillies will line out for the race with Emily Upjohn now being aimed at the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. at Ascot on July 23.

Thady Gosden said, “It is very frustrating. We thought all her bad luck had been used up at Epsom. The plane, which was going to be taking her to Ireland, they also use for Royal Mail. It was flying out of Edinburgh to pick her up and there was a bird strike. The plane that was meant to be taking her there now can't get her in time and they can't find another plane.”

He added, “Unfortunately, we are completely snookered. The King George is now obviously the option. Frustrating, especially when you train her for such a race.”

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