Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel stormed to Group 1 Coronation Cup sucess at Epsom on Friday
Ryan Moore took Highland Reel to the front and he never saw another rival as the gutsy five-year-old held off the challenges of the rest of the field to take the Group 1 contest
HIGHLAND REEL stamped his class on the Investec Coronation Cup as he recorded an all-the-way victory under Ryan Moore at Epsom on Friday.
Aidan O’Brien’s globetrotter was surprisingly weak in the market and went off a tasty 9-4 favourite.
His backers never really had to worry as Moore took him to the front and never saw another rival.
Hawkbill put in a gallant effort up the straight but he dropped away and it was left to Frontiersman – who was all over the shop on the track – to chase him home.
It was a remarkable win from the tough five-year-old who had only arrived at the course just over an hour earlier after the O’Brien runners had travel problems.
O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with him, he’s obviously gone through a lot today, and just before the race, but Ryan gave him a great ride. He hadn’t run since Dubai (in March), but he was brilliant.
“What happened this morning was unavoidable, the lads were doing their best but things weren’t running smoothly.
“It’s just thanks to everyone, Pat (Keating, travelling head lad) was delighted when he got him here and tacked up and he was very happy.
“It’s a big team effort and I’m thankful to them all for making it happen.
“He’s an amazing horse this, he’s tough, he has tactical speed and he stays.”
O’Brien added: “He has the option of the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and then on to the King George, but I suppose we’ll see how he comes out of this and see whether he goes to the Hardwicke or straight for the King George.”