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'That tops it all' - Moore's Cup magic completes 1,971 five-timer for O'Brien

Cleveland (Ryan Moore,left) wins the Chester Cup from ColtraneChester 6.5.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Ryan Moore captures the Chester Cup on Cleveland (left)Credit: Edward Whitaker

There was only one trainer to back at the May meeting with Cleveland's Chester Cup triumph making it an incredible five wins from five runners over the three days for trainer Aidan O'Brien, a 1,971-1 five-timer.

Changingoftheguard in the Chester Vase (100-30), Thoughts Of June in the Cheshire Oaks (7-1), Star Of India in the Dee Stakes (6-4) and Temple Of Artemis (9-4) were the other winners for Ireland’s champion trainer.

All were ridden by Ryan Moore, who scored with eight of his 11 rides at the meeting, including on Solid Stone in Friday's Group 2 Huxley Stakes.


Watch again: Red-hot Moore lands a Chester Cup thriller


Moore's performance on Cleveland came in for particular praise, with Kevin Buckley, Coolmore's UK representative, describing the ride along the inside rail as "brilliant" while adding that he was lost for words at the skill of O'Brien as a trainer. He said: "That just tops it all."

ITV racing presenter Jane Mangan said Moore was "one of the world's best jockeys" with colleague Jason Weaver adding that "it's a class of riding we're lucky to witness".

Assessing Moore's ride in the Chester Cup where Cleveland scraped around the inside rail before bursting through to challenge successfully in the straight, Mangan said: "This is vintage from Ryan Moore. He sticks to the rail, he takes all the chances. I know he had the horse to accelerate through the gap when it came, but he didn't have to do that – he could've played it safe. He didn't, he played all the cards and his horse had all the answers.

CHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 04: Ryan Moore poses at Chester Racecourse on May 04, 2022 in Chester, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Ryan Moore: 'It's a class of riding we're lucky to witness'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"He's one of the world's best and we're lucky to get to see him in the flesh. It's a privilege."

Moore was denied a 192-1 treble on the final day of the meeting at Chester after Boosala failed by a nose to win the opening contest, something Weaver said the rider would be "kicking himself about, I know what he's like."

However, summing up Moore's ride on Cleveland, the pundit added: "He was waiting and biding his time, winding him into contention and not wanting to dab on the breaks. He kept the bit up in his mouth and then he goes for home.

"This is completely uncharted territory for this horse, he's not had hardly any racing in comparison to the rest, and he was handled beautifully throughout. It's a class of riding we're lucky to witness."

While on the track, O'Brien and Moore enjoyed a week to remember, their successes were in some ways overshadowed by news that their Cazoo Derby favourite Luxembourg had been "a little lame on his off-hind" following exercise on Friday morning.

O'Brien and Moore will be out to maintain the winning streak at Lingfield on Saturday when they pair up with United Nations in the Derby Trial and Emily Dickinson in the Oaks Trial.


Chester results, replay and analysis


Read these next:

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

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


The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-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


Peter ScargillDeputy industry editor

Published on 6 May 2022inReports

Last updated 19:40, 6 May 2022

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