[an error occurred while processing this directive]Scorpion Strikes in Vodafone Coronation Cup
01/06/07

1st (3) Scorpion 8-1
2nd (4) Septimus 3-1
3rd (2) Maraahel 7-1
7 ran
Also: 11-8 Fav Sixties Icon

Scorpion (8-1), winner of the 2005 St Leger, bounced back to his sparkling best with a thrilling display in the Vodafone Coronation Cup.

Settled in second behind stable companion Septimus, Aidan O'Brien's charge picked up in great style when asked for his effort by Mick Kinane.

He ed the line one and a quarter lengths clear of Septimus, with Maraahel third.

Sir Percy - disappointing
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But both last year's Derby winner Sir Percy and St Leger winner Sixties Icon were desperately disappointing.

O'Brien said: "He just had a few niggly problems last year and he came back very well on his first run this year at Chester.

"Mick said he blow up when he turned in there, so obviously a lot of improvement came from that and we are delighted.

"He's a warm-blooded free-sweater. You'd probably be more anxious if he wasn't doing that than if he was doing it."

Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Maraahel, said: "He's run a great race and I wish we had some more like him. The muddling pace did not help. He gives his best every time and if he comes out of this OK we'll go for the Hardwicke."