The ride on Boreal still up for grabs

In his riding days, Schiergen, partnered more winners in a European season than the late great Sir Gordon Richards.

He won the German Jockeys' Championship for the first time in 1992 and then re-wrote their record books. He won five titles on the trot, but it was his totals that were remarkable. In 1995 he won an incredible 271 races, which broke the European record set by Sir Gordon back in 1947. Given how little racing is staged in Germany, the mark is unlikely to be surpassed. Indeed, the second best annual figure, set by Andrasch Starke, is a mere 188. Schiergen retired from the saddle with 1471 career victories.

Since switching to training, the 35-year old has been equally successful and is presently heading the German handlers' list. And Boreal's triumph in the Coronationwas no fluke. The colt galloped his rivals into the ground, beating Storming Home - an opponent he may meet again on Saturday - by three-and-a-half lengths.

Boreal ran on soft ground that day, but Schiergen is adamant that his former German Derby winner does not necessarily need such conditions to shine. He said: "He travels smoothly on good ground, but is more at home on soft. It was a great thrill to have a winner in Britain and extra-special when it was a Group One at the home of the Derby."

The trainer has handled several decent horses. His Tiger Hill finished third in the 1998 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and in 2000,

Catella was third in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mares' Turf.

If the ground comes up on the soft side at Ascot for the £750,000 highlight, Boreal could be a tough nut to crack, even in what promises to be an ultra-highclass field.

France has an enviable record, with nine winners since the inaugural running in 1951. This year the Gallic flag should be flown by Aquarelliste. Trainer Ellie Lellouche and owner Alec Wildenstein are particularly keen to take on the Godolphin camp, which is strongly represented by Sakhee and Grandera.

Betting (William Hill): 5-4 Sakhee, 15-8 Grandera, 7 Golan, 12 Boreal, Nyef, Zindabad, 14 bar.