Frankie makes the most of Moore move off the fence as Stradivarius stars again

It was the afternoon's longest race but it was won in the blink of an eyelid. The gap Stradivarius took was tiny but, thanks to an act of unintentional generosity from one superstar jockey to another, it was more than enough.

He so nearly did not run. Even when he did run he so nearly found himself trapped in a pocket with nowhere to go.

Yet then, as the field for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup came off the home bend, Ryan Moore aboard eventual fourth Flag Of Honour unexpectedly allowed Frankie Dettori a glimmer of hope that was snatched with glee. From there to the line the superior talent and tremendous bravery of the Bjorn Nielsen-owned Stradivarius proved more than enough.

Frankie Dettori celebrates winning the Long Distance Cup on StradivariusCredit: Edward Whitaker

Triumphs in the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup earned the star stayer's camp a Weatherbys Hamilton-backed £1 million bonus. A helpful 57 days had passed between the last of those wins and this final assignment, but first testing ground, and then a lack of ground, so nearly scuppered the Stradivarius encore performance.

"After walking the course Bjorn and I had a long conversation for 15 minutes out on the pavement," said trainer John Gosden.

"It was touch and go whether we ran him. I said that it's Champions Day, so we should run. I felt that although the ground was too slow for him it's in pristine condition. I also knew they wouldn't go a great pace and that our problem would be getting out of the box."

A delighted Dettori after his successCredit: Alan Crowhurst

They went no pace and their problem was getting out of the box.

However, when Moore moved off the fence, Stradivarius surged forward before holding off Thomas Hobson, who was hampered by the drifting winner close home. Dettori received a three-day suspension but can defer those days and is free to ride at the Breeders' Cup.

"I said he'd need to be Houdini to get out of the box – well, he did," said Gosden.

"He saw that glimpse on the bend and dived for it. Then Ryan tried to shut it but, thank goodness, it was too late. What a clever ride from Frankie. That was jockeyship at its highest level."

The jockey being praised described Stradivarius as "a model of consistency", and added: "I thought if I don't get this gap I won't get out. I had half a chance to take it and I took it. I think he took Ryan by surprise. It was instantaneous – but you can only do that when you have plenty of horse left."

Thomas Hobson's trainer Willie Mullins thanked Oisin Murphy for giving the runner-up "a super ride" but also doffed his cap towards the winner.

"We have all of next year to look forward to with him," he said. "Maybe we'll have to avoid Stradivarius, though."

The bad news for the Thomas Hobson team is Stradivarius will be back. The champion of 2018 will be the one to beat in 2019. Among those particularly keen to beat him might be Ryan Moore.

Long Distance Cup result

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