Michael Bell is not too worried about the prospect of quick ground at Epsom for Sariska in the Coronation Cup.Last year's Oaks heroine handled it with aplomb in the Middleton Stakes at York on her seasonal reappearance, putting to bed the theory that she can only act on ground with plenty of give.
Bell told At The Races: "I think even from early on in the race you could tell that she was being effective on the ground, she was bouncing off it and moving really well and I think that will stand her in good stead for the rest of the year."
The trainer went on: "I think (Epsom clerk of the course) Andrew Cooper tries to produce good or slightly easier ground so that when it dries out before the Derby the Derby isn't run on ground that is too fast."
Fame And Glory is among Sariska's possible opponents at Epsom, but Bell has not been scared off by his easy win at the Curragh on Sunday.
"Fame And Glory was obviously very impressive, not many Group Ones are won by seven lengths. He's an awesome horse and it would be nice to take him on," he added.
The Newmarket handler also has a live each-way hope for the Derby in Coordinated Cut and believes there is improvement to come after he finished third in the Dante.
"I think I may have left him a bit short of work, he blew pretty hard after the race for slightly longer than normal, a good 15-20 minutes," Bell admitted.
"We made the decision to commit early in the straight at York and that could have backfired as I think he was a little bit lost having been out in front. Hopefully there is improvement to come."
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