Calandagan heads a field of six declared for the June 6 Coronation Cup Stakes (G1), with trainer Francis-Henri Graffard expecting to run the gelding, providing the weather does not throw up any unexpected surprises.
The Aga Khan Studs team continues to be on weather watch but, subject to a further conversation with Epsom Downs Racecourse clerk of the course Andrew Cooper, the Longines World's Best Racehorse will set off from Chantilly June 4.
Twelve months ago—when the Coronation Cup was run on the first day of the two-day fixture—Calandagan was outstayed by Jan Brueghel on ground that was officially described as good to soft.
A rematch between the two, with last year's Epsom Derby (G1) hero Lambourn and impressive Newbury winner Convergent thrown in for good measure, provides a mouthwatering appetizer ahead of Saturday's classic and, having been easy to back when the rain arrived earlier in the week, Calandagan hardened to 11-10 favorite with Coral after being declared June 4.
Graffard said: "My horse is in form and he is demanding to go back to the races. He's already won on soft ground and so in the normal run of things, he'll be at the start. He is due to leave for Epsom tonight so I will speak again with the clerk of the course and then with Princess Zahra."
Calandagan has taken the racing world by storm over the last 12 months, winning five consecutive group 1s across four different countries.
Following the defeat in last year's Coronation Cup, racing fans questioned his will to win, as that was the fourth time in a row he had finished second at the top table. Maybe he heard the doubters, such were the performances that followed.
After an easy win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) later that month, Calandagan then went to Ascot Racecourse with wins in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), reversing form with Jan Brueghel, and the Champion Stakes where he defeated Ombudsman by 2 1/4 lengths.
But the globetrotter wasn't finished for the year, as in November he headed to the Japan Cup (G1T) and duly became the first non-Japanese-trained horse to win the race since 2005, breaking the track record in the process.
The 5-year old embarked on a new season with success in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T) in March, running down West Wind Blows to score by three-quarters of a length.
Calandagan is among a field of six for the Coronation Cup, again facing Jan Brueghel, who is among a three-strong team for Aidan O'Brien.
O'Brien's runners also include last year's Derby winner Lambourn and 2025 Ascot Gold Cup (G1T) second Illinois, with the former having won the Huxley Stakes at Chester last time.
The other two runners in the lineup are Convergent for Karl Burke and group 1 winner Bay City Roller, who was runner-up to Almaqam in the Gold Cup (G1T) last time for George Scott.
