Coronation Cup Glory For Pyledriver

[Wandering Eyes]

Only 11th behind Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in last year's G1 Epsom Derby, Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) put that experience firmly behind him returning to that venue to register a career-best success in Friday's G1 Coral Coronation Cup for the new William Muir-Chris Grassick training partnership. Showing his class when successful in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot and the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York last term, the bay who was runner-up on his seasonal debut in the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket May 1 tracked the leader Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in second throughout the early stages. Committed on the front before the run downhill into the home straight, the 8-1 chance was headed by the 7-4 favourite Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) approaching the furlong pole and looked held but battled against the fence to regain the advantage in the final 50 yards and prevail by a neck, with Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) seven lengths away in third. “It's great for everyone, the whole team, but on a personal level I can't describe way I'm feeling,” winning jockey Martin Dwyer said. “I've got to say, there were times I have hated racing and driven home in a bad mood, but days like this make it worth it. This is a great sport and you can achieve great things, but it's been a long time between drinks for me and it's hard to get horses as good as this. It's also hard to stay on them, with people criticising you on the outside, so I have to thank William [Muir] and the owners for sticking by me.”

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