Races
PYLEDRIVER: Former Kempton runner-up wins Coronation Cup
The gutsy Pyledriver landed a first Group 1 at Epsom Downs under Martin Dwyer
Last season’s Classic Trial Stakes silver medalist Pyledriver secured a first Group 1 after winning the Coronation Cup at the Epsom Derby Festival.
William Muir and Chris Grassick’s stable-star, who won Group 2’s at Royal Ascot and York last season, began his campaign in Sunbury-on-Thames when chasing home Berlin Tango three days into racing’s return after the first coronavirus lockdown.
And he achieved his finest hour to date on the other side of Surrey on Friday afternoon, seeing off hot-favourite Al Aasy in a titanic battle under Martin Dwyer to land the first major contest of the fixture.
Fellow Kempton victor Corazon Espinado also claimed glory on the Downs, winning the Coral ‘Beaten By A Length’ Free Bet Handicap under Hollie Doyle.
And Oscula, who finished on the podium in third at the course on debut, went two better in the Woodcote to land a second victory in a row after Brighton glory last month for George Boughey.
