'I'm glad for once he showed his true talent' - Blue Cup shines under Murphy

Two-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy may not have a ride in the Derby, but he proved exactly why he should with victory on 9-2 favourite Blue Cup in the 1m2f handicap.

On a day when the first three winners had come from the front he was cool enough to realise this time they were going too fast and sit last.

When the field switched to the far rail he stayed nearest the middle of the course until challenging. Then, instead of playing his hand down the middle of the track, where the camber could have carried him away from his rivals, he moved to challenge between horses.

It all combined to mean the favourite won well, pulling clear to win by five and a half lengths.

"I'm glad for once he showed his true talent. He should have won here six weeks ago but doors kept shutting on him, then York didn't work for whatever reason," said winning trainer David Menuisier.

David Menuisier: 'He's got a really good turn of foot, so I wasn't too worried'Credit: Edward Whitaker

On the ride, he added: "He's got a really good turn of foot, so I wasn't too worried, but he had a fair amount of ground to make up. Oisin looked very confident, so I was happy enough."

That was until he saw the winning margin, which may scupper grand plans for targets such as the Wolferton and John Smith's Cup.

Who you gonna call?

When you want everything in your favour, what do you do? Book Hollie Doyle, that's what.

“There’s not enough superlatives for her; it’s always a privilege to have her,” said local trainer Simon Dow, whose course specialist Corazon Espinado landed the 1m½f handicap.

Doyle produced a masterclass from the widest stall, grabbing the head of the race, waiting longest and powering clear on a horse who got closer to home with every stride.

“His stable’s just across the road. He’s probably the only one here to not even get wet, he goes around here on rails,” Dow joked of the four-time course winner.

Doyle's talent was in evidence once again as she doubled up with Mehmento's impressive victory in the Surrey Stakes.

Simon Dow: there just aren't enough superlatives for Hollie Doyle, he saysCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We were quite worried about the ground because he didn't pick up on it in the French Guineas, but Hollie held him together well," said winning trainer Archie Watson.

"He's a serious horse and is one of the best I've trained. He'll go to Ascot for the Commonwealth Cup or the Jersey – the Prix Jean Prat will be his main summer aim."

Buoyant brothers

Brothers and Racing TV broadcasting duo Martin and Chris Dixon could have a potential Group horse under their syndicate banner, The Horse Watchers, after Rhoscolyn completed a hat-trick in the 7f handicap.

"Martin and Chris found the horse and it's all their doing," said winning trainer David O'Meara. "He showed a different quality today and I wonder if he can make into a Lennox Stakes horse."

Memorable day

Oscula received quotes of 8-1 from Betfair for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot after capturing the Cazoo Woodcote Stakes under jockey Mark Crehan.

"Robson Aguiar recommended this horse to us and all the hard work and groundwork that he put in with her has got us here today," said Nick Bradley from winning owners Nick Bradley Racing. "He deserves so much of the credit for her being here today.

"I wouldn’t worry about how quickly the races have come as she’s as tough as nails and talented."

Results, replays and analysis

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday