Kew Gardens & Lah Ti Dar Set To Renew Rivalry At Epsom

Kew Gardens & Lah Ti Dar Set To Renew Rivalry At Epsom

Last year's St Leger one-and-two Kew Gardens and Lah Ti Dar are both in line to lock horns once again in the Coronation Cup at Epsom next weekend.

Galileo's dual Group One winning son looks to be shouldering the task of searching to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien a ninth success in the Coronation Cup at the Surrey venue, after the decision was made to keep Magical on home soil to run at the Curragh in the next few days.

Meanwhile, John Gosden will be looking for a second success in the Group One after Cracksman's success twelve months ago, with his filly owned by Lord Lloyd Webber.

Lah Ti Dar won the Middleton on her reappearance at York last week by a narrow margin, whilst Kew Gardens was well-held on his return by Morando in the Ormonde Stakes in the mud at Chester.

The pair have been dominating the ante-post betting for the Epsom showpiece, with Kew Gardens just edging favouritism at 7/4, with Lah Ti Dar - third in the Fillies & Mares at Ascot on Champions Day, best priced at

The master of Ballydoyle remains confident on his chances of another success.

(Credit: Racing Post) O'Brien said: "We just needed to test him on the left-handed track after the disappointment in the Derby at Epsom last year. I've been very happy with him and he will go for the Coronation Cup."

Meanwhile, Newmarket-based trainer Gosden, who also saddles another mare Coronet - fourth in Newmarket's Jockey Club Stakes recently, believes Lah Ti Dar should be seen to better effect here.

He said: "She [Lah Ti Dar] was running over very much her minimum trip and got the job done, and has come out of the race in great order.

"As for Coronet, the Jockey Club Stakes turned into a three-furlong dash which didn't suit her, but both will stay in the Coronation Cup next Friday."

As for the challengers - Sylvester Kirk will be hopeful Salouen can take advantage of his good recent form to go one better than last year.

At odds of 33/1 under Silvestre De Sousa, the five-year-old gave eventual winner Cracksman a real fright, taking the latter all the way to the line to just miss out by a head.

Salouen remains on course for another bid after his impressive winning return in Listed company at Ascot earlier this month over old foe Barsanti, and is in the best shape of his life according to his trainer.

(Credit: Racing Post) Kirk said: "Hopefully he has improved a little from four to five and he is very straightforward to deal with.

"He just missed out in the top races last year and his owner loves going to the big gigs. It would be nice for him to be rewarded with a big one."

Roger Varian - who won the race with Postponed three years ago, is looking to run Defoe after working him on Tuesday morning, but will be hoping for a touch of rain to better his chances.