Close but no cigar: frustration for Moore as he suffers Group 1 seconditis

It proved to be a tough day at the office at Epsom on Friday for Ryan Moore, who was denied in the Group 1 Coronation Cup and Investec Oaks having traded at short in-running prices aboard Ballydoyle-trained runners.

Following a second-place finish on his first mount of the day – Seniority in the 1m½f handicap – Moore filled the same berth on a further two occasions as Kew Gardens and Pink Dogwood were denied by strong stayers.

Kew Gardens, who was sent off a weak 100-30 shot but traded at the minimum 1.01 for £6,000 on the Betfair exchanges in the Coronation Cup, loomed up large on the outside and kicked clear in the distinctive purple silks of Ballydoyle, only to be collared late by the rail-running Defoe.

Defoe: beat Kew Gardens (purple) in the Coronation CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

An hour and 20 minutes later and it was the same story again as Pink Dogwood, also weak in the market beforehand, looked home for all money in the Oaks (traded at 1.08), before being caught by Anapurna and Frankie Dettori.

Moore hit the front at the two-furlong marker in both 1m4f contests and although his mounts were not stopping, they succumbed to stronger stayers who raced towards the inside of the track in the final strides.

Betfair's Barry Orr said: "With a 1.01 and 1.08 getting beat in two of the three biggest betting races of the weekend, for some punters it represented a significant reversal. But for every backer there's a layer.

"From a Sportsbook point of view it's been a good day, getting the three most popular horses beaten in the Oaks. It's not often Frankie Dettori provides us with a good result."

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