Races

PYLEDRIVER: Former Kempton runner-up wins Coronation Cup

The gutsy Pyledriver landed a first Group 1 at Epsom Downs under Martin Dwyer

Published

3 weeks ago

June 4, 2021

Dominic Chapman

2CC5PMG Pyledriver ridden by jockey Martin Dwyer wins the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes during day one of the Yorkshire Ebor Festival at York Racecourse.

Last season’s Classic Trial Stakes silver medalist Pyledriver secured a first Group 1 after winning the Coronation Cup at the Epsom Derby Festival.

*Pyledriver’s Coronation Cup win was Martin Dwyer’s first Group 1 success since 2011*

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.

WATCH: PYLEDRIVER IS ALL HEART IN THE CORONATION CUP AT EPSOM [CREDIT: RACING TV]

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.

Epsom Racecourse General — *Epsom’s two-day Derby Festival got underway on Friday afternoon, with three Group 1’s taking place across Friday and Saturday*

Fellow Kempton victor Corazon Espinado also claimed glory on the Downs, winning the Coral ‘Beaten By A Length’ Free Bet Handicap under Hollie Doyle.

2CEEH7N Jockey Hollie Doyle (left) walks to the parade ring at Kempton Park Racecourse. — *Hollie Doyle is the most winning rider at Kempton so far this year and picked up a Derby Festival victory on Friday afternoon*

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.