Midday, who advertised her well-being at York last month, can confirm her class at Epsom tomorrow by adding yet another Group 1 race to her glowing portfolio by winning the Investec Coronation Cup.

Taking on colts for the first time in more than two years, Midday is fancied to have the measure of St Nicholas Abbey, and Dandino and Indian Days, partnered by Paul Mulrennan and Paul Hanagan respectively.

Trained by Henry Cecil, Midday proved herself to be Europe’s top middle-distance filly last season, gaining Group 1 triumphs in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, the Yorkshire Oaks on Knavesmire and the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp. She ended up by being narrowly beaten in the Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares Turf in the US, a race which she had famously won the previous season.

Midday returned at York’s Dante Festival last month and won the Group 2 Middleton Stakes with a workmanlike display which should have teed her up perfectly for this acid test.

St Nicholas Abbey commands respect. Hailed as the best thing since sliced bread when he easily won the Racing Post Trophy as a juvenile in 2009, he was sent off at evens favourite for last season’s 2,000 Guineas, but finished unplaced. But he won the Ormonde Stakes at Chester last month in runaway fashion.

Dandino, two from two this season, and the closely-matched Indian Days are two admirable horses. But this is a race that looks sure to focus on the ‘big two’ and Midday is fancied to lower the colours of St Nicholas Abbey in a contest to savour.

Epsom racegoers can also look forward to Classic action in the Investec Oaks, which sees Blue Bunting and Misty For Me, respective winners of the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas. Both fillies have major chances, but I like the look of Havant, sixth to Blue Bunting at Newmarket, but with the scope to leave that form behind now she tackles an extra half-mile and better ground.

It’s low-grade fare at Catterick, but Spirit Of Coniston loves this undulating course and it would be no surprise to see Paul Midgley’s sprinter clinch the Lionweld Kennedy Handicap under Micky Fenton.

He has work to do to turn the tables on recent conqueror Ridley Didley, but the draw favoured the winner then and this time Spirit Of Coniston is nearer the favoured inside rail. He is awarded the nap vote.

Lutin Du Moulin, winner of his last two visits to Wetherby, bids for a hat-trick of course victories this evening.

The Chris Grant-trained gelding has prospects in the Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre Handicap Chase.


Racing selections

Wetherby (today)
5.50 Final Flyer, 6.20 Sharadiyn, 6.55 Soft Spoken Guy, 7.25 Sinbad The Sailor, 8.00 King’s Realm, 8.35 Lutin Du Moulin, 9.05 Isheforreal.

Today’s other meetings: Hamilton, Lingfield, Sandown, Southwell and Uttoxeter.

Epsom (tomorrow)
1.40 Timepiece, 2.10 Start Right, 2.45 Midday, 3.25 Pleasant Day, 4.05 Havant, 4.50 Hooray, 5.25 Fityaan.

Catterick (tomorrow)
1.50 Look Here’s Lady, 2.25 White Deer, 3.00 Spirit Of Coniston (NAP), 3.35 Excusez Moi, 4.15 King Of The Celts, 4.45 Boy The Bell, 5.15 Powerful Presence.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Bath, Doncaster, Goodwood and Musselburgh.