Epsom best bet: Hamish strongly tipped to challenge Emily Upjohn for Coronation Cup
- John Fearn
- 31 May 2024
Only five runners line up to contest the second biggest prize on Epsom’s card, and according to our colleagues in the Tipstrr office, the Coronation Cup could go to a less fancied prospect.
15:10 Epsom: Holland Cooper Coronation Cup (1 mile 4 furlongs)
Emily Upjohn has certainly earned her stripes as the short-price favourite after landing this race in some style 12 months ago, just a year after being a narrow short-head runner-up to Tuesday in the 2022 Oaks.
However, the Gosdens’ mare is now winless in three outings since landing this prize last June, and her only run in 10 months was a fifth-place finish in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, albeit with excuses after meeting trouble on the run-in.
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The mare clearly loves the Epsom track, but she appears vulnerable at such short odds, which gives some hope to all four of her rivals in their bid to line their connections’ pockets with the £¼ million jackpot.
Luxembourg and Feed The Flame are the bookies’ favourites to lead the challenge, but the former has registered just one win in nine outings, while the latter is something of an unknown quantity as a French raider making his UK debut in high-quality Group 1 company.
All of which leads us to Hamish, who has created a swath of support in the Tipstrr camp, who expect their pick to extend his winning form in conditions set to suit.
Suggested best bet: Hamish each-way in the 15:10 at Epsom
The William Haggas-trained eight-year-old has finished behind just two of his 62 rivals in his last eight outings, winning all of his last five, including at last year’s Chester May meeting, the Ebor Festival and Glorious Goodwood.
Admittedly, they were all in Group 3 company, so jockey Tom Marquand will have to bring more out of him in this step up in class, although his chances will improve further if recent rains softens up the Epsom turf for him.
Hamish was last seen emerging from a five-month winter break to land the John Porter Stakes at Newbury six weeks ago, and while he hasn’t raced at this level before, his higher-class rivals are just other horses to him, and he could well give them something to think about here.
- Tip advised by Best On Offer on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Friday ITV racing tips: Best bets for Day 1 of Epsom’s Derby meeting on May 31
