/ Editor / 22 June 2007 /

Aidan O'Brien believes his Scorpion can improve on his recent Group One success in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, when he runs in Saturday's Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Classic winner will have to defy a Group One penalty and faces the challenge of last year's winner Maraahel and the returning Linas Selection in the 1m 4f contest.

However, O'Brien believes his colt definitely seems to have an upward profile, putting a below par performance at Chester on his seasonal reappearance behind him when beating Septimus at Epsom.

"He improved a nice bit from Chester to Epsom and we think there will probably be a little bit more improvement in him," said the Ballydoyle handler.

"We are definitely happy that he is progressing still and his work has been very good. He's been in good form since then.

"Obviously the Hardwicke is a race that will suit him and he'll have a penalty, which will be a little bit of a burden, but he's in good form," O'Brien told At The Races.

Scorpion, Maraahel and Linas Selection look set to dominate the trading in the Group Two contest with it difficult to predict at this stage which horse traders will make favourite for the race, due off at 15:05.

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