Slow pace no help to Simple Verse in Coronation Cup

Simple Verse finished fourth in today's Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Victory went to Postponed (pictured in yellow colours below), who beat runner-up Found by four and a half lengths, with the winner's pacemaker, Roseburg, one and a quarter lengths further back.

Simple Verse was another one and three-quarters of a length behind, and trainer Ralph Beckett was clearly disappointed with the outcome. He said: ‚"They only raced for seven furlongs. The early pace wasn't quick enough, which meant he [Oisin Murphy] was asking her to go quicker than she was able when it mattered.

‚"When you take that into consideration she has run a really good race - it certainly wasn't a bad run. We'll see how she is and make a decision about her next run, but she hasn't had a hard race. I wouldn't rule anything out.‚"

Simple Verse has an entry in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, although David Redvers, racing manager to Qatar Racing, mentioned the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, also at Ascot but in July, as a target.

Redvers said: ‚"It was very disappointing there was no pace in the race, and she needs all of 12 furlongs or further. It was a very hot race against one of the two best horses in the world [Postponed] and the race was run to suit the winner. Ideally we would have organised a bit of pace into the race ourselves, but it is hard to find horses good enough to do that job in races of this quality.

‚"She's been asked to do something she's not capable of, which is running in a seven-furlongs race down a hill. Let's look forward to the King George we're disappointed with the race, but not the filly.‚"

Another European Classic takes place at Chantilly tomorrow when the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club (16.15 local time, 15.15 in UK) aka French Derby takes place.

Imperial Aviator, who is trained by Roger Charlton, runs for a partnership involving Qatar Racing, Daniel Hunt and Eileen Markham, having been supplemented for the event on Thursday. A very impressive winner of Newbury's London Gold Cup on his latest start, Imperial Aviator has been put up to an official rating of 99 by the BHA's handicapper, and is expected to handle the likely soft ground. He is one of 17 who stand their ground.

Also running on the same card are Ming Dynasty and Sumbal, who line up in the Gr.2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (17.00 16.00 in UK). The pair were last seen on the opening day of May when both were unplaced in the Gr.1 Prix Ganay, although Sumbal was little more than five lengths behind the winner, Dariyan.

Epsom action photograph: Laurence Squire