Red-hot Moore and O'Brien conjure Chester Cup win out of 'classy' Cleveland

Friday: Chester Cup, Chester

All the greatest magicians save their best trick for last and there is no greater conjuror currently training than Aidan O'Brien.

Winning all three Classic trials at Chester might be thought little more than pulling rabbits out of a hat for a man in charge of the supremely classy bloodstock that is housed in Ballydoyle.

Landing a three-year-old handicap with a beautifully bred colt who is good enough to be a Derby contender might not be thought a major conjuring trick.

But to win the tote+ Chester Cup with a four-year-old who has raced just four times, missed the whole of last season, and was stepping up in trip by a mile, was the equivalent of sawing a woman in half while blindfolded and wearing a straitjacket.

Ryan Moore wins the Chester Cup on Cleveland, trained by Aidan O'BrienCredit: Edward Whitaker

Whatever Group 1 victories may come for Thoughts Of June, Changingoftheguard, Star Of India and Temple Of Artemis, the colt who completed a perfect five for O'Brien at Chester's May meeting was the greatest tribute of all to the 40-time Classic-winning trainer's skill.

Nor did it really look in much doubt. Cleveland was always travelling strongly and made light of the stiffest challenge he had faced, coming through to lead inside the final furlong for a neck win.

"I always felt like I was going to win if I could find the right gaps and get enough space," said jockey Ryan Moore. "Maybe it wasn't the best Chester Cup ever run but I'm delighted to have won.

"He was still a little bit of a baby going around there but he hasn't had many runs. We didn't have a lot of room but he was able to pick his way through."

tote+ Chester Cup Handicap: full result and race replay

O'Brien said: "Everybody at home has done a great job to get him back and I thought Ryan gave him an absolutely brilliant ride.

"We have always liked him and we always knew he was a very classy horse. He won his maiden late in the year at two and he didn't run at all at three, but we all thought that was a lovely run at Naas on his comeback and we were delighted with him."

The Gold Cup and Hardwicke Stakes are possible targets and the trainer said: "Obviously, he has plenty of class and now we know he stays, Ascot will be the plan for him. He's in the big races there and we'll see how he comes out of Chester before deciding which way we'll go."

'He's run a hell of a race'

Reflecting on the five winners at the meeting, on a day when Luxembourg was announced an uncertain runner in the Derby, he said: "It's been a great week at Chester and the horses all seem very well in themselves, which is great. We couldn't be happier with how they're running at the moment."

Runner-up Coltrane has also come back from time off and trainer Andrew Balding's wife Anna Lisa said: "He's run a hell of a race. He's a really special horse, who is adored by everyone in the yard, and when they come back from an injury, it means so much more."

Rajinksy came third in Hugo Palmer's first Chester Cup since moving north and the trainer said: "If the split had come at the right time, he could have won. He'll stay further and he could go for the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot."

How the finish unfolded

Read these next:

Derby favourite Luxembourg in race to be fit for Epsom after suffering setback

Who is in the frame for the Derby? Top eight in the market under the microscope

Sign up now. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £10 and win or lose you will receive £30 in Tote Credit, redeemable against racing bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.