Kirk Hopes Salouen Can Go One Better

Sylvester Kirk is hopeful Salouen can take an extra step and win the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom after finishing second last year.

The Hungerford-based trainer watched his five-year-old stable star push Cracksman all the way 12 months ago before settling for the runner-up spot.

Salouen has since featured in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Grand Prix de Deauville and was sixth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, only four lengths behind the winner Enable.

His first start of the season resulted in a win at Ascot on May 11 and Kirk has high hopes of success in Friday’s race. He said: “Everything has been going to plan and he’s in good form. “It was nice for him to get a win under his belt at Ascot – it had been a while – all we could do with now is a bit of rain.

RELATED: Kerber Calm On Career Slam Hopes

As it’s the Friday, at least it should be good ground. “There is rain forecast but I’m not expecting much, it’s pretty sporadic, but it would be nice to get a few showers on Wednesday and Thursday. “There’s no Cracksman this year, but there’s a lot of good horses and with a few (Aidan) O’Brien horses, you’d imagine he won’t get an easy lead – it could get quite tactical.”