MICHAEL BELL believes Sariska is in top form as last year’s dual Oaks winner takes on the colts in today’s Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Sariska is second favourite behind last year’s Epsom Derby runner-up Fame And Glory.

Aidan O’Brien’s star went on to win the Irish Derby and will be tough to beat in this afternoon’s Group One contest over the Derby course and distance having won his last two starts this season.

But Bell thinks his star filly – who returned with a win this season at York last month – has an excellent hance of beating Fame And Glory and other leading contenders Youmzain and Cavalryman.

She would be the first Oaks winner to land the Coronation Cup in successive seasons since Lupe in 1970-71, while no filly or mare has won the race since David Elsworth’s In The Groove in 1991.

Time Charter won the Oaks (1982) and Coronation Cup (1984), while the brilliant Triptych (1987-88) won the race twice.

Sariska did win the Oaks in a quicker time than Sea The Stars landed the Derby, and also finished ahead of Fame And Glory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket last October. And Bell said: “We’re looking forward to it very much.

“She’s in great form and I’ve been very happy with her preparation. It looks to be a very high-class race, but she’s going there in really good nick.

“She looked impressive when she won at York and various form lines give us the beating of Fame And Glory, but obviously he has trained on big time.

“It’s a really good race.”