Moore goes nap with York success as Moon eyes Leger

Touted in the early Spring as a possible Derby runner, Moore missed the kick on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained 4-6 favourite and was one of the first at work in the Give Generously To Macmillan Handicap.

After 228 days off the track, he was entitled to be a little rusty but showed a willing attitude to reel in Godolphin’s Flag Officer and win going away by a length-and-three-quarters.

“He’s been off a long time and was a bit slow getting going. He was slow out of the stalls and the pace wasn’t that strong,” said Moore of the winner, who is related to Leger winner Brian Boru and Derby hero Workforce.

“It took a while for the penny to drop, he hasn’t really had a race before, and we just ground it out. He’s got potential, but still has a fair way to go.”

Owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: “He will be running over a mile- and-a-half next and there is plenty of stamina in his pedigree.

“He learned a bit, he was in a proper race and put it to bed.

“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could develop into a St Leger horse given some time.”

Stan James.com cut the winner to 10-1 from 16s for the world’s oldest Classic at Doncaster on September 10.

Moore and Stoute were on the mark with Confront (8-1), who dropped into handicap company for the first time in over two years, hit the front some way out and held on against Sarrsar.

Stoute completed his own treble when Entitled (9-2) won the Charles Henry Memorial Handicap under a brilliant Moore effort as he collared favourite Collect Art in the shadow of the post.

Moore also shone on David Elsworth’s Swiss Spirit (4-6 fav), who won the Reg Griffin Appreciation EBF Maiden despite running keen through the early stages.

He was seen to even better effect on Richard Hannon’s My Son Max (4-1) in the York Race Committee Classified Stakes. When asked if he had ridden five winners on the same card before Moore replied: “I can’t remember, maybe not at the same meeting.”

Kevin Ryan’s Lexi’s Hero (20-1) took full advantage of a good draw in the feature Bond Tyres Trophy.

Jamie Spencer bounced his mount out of the stalls against the near-side rail and never saw another rival.

The Queen Mother’s Cup for lady amateur riders provides the winner her weight in champagne. The bubbly went to Jacqueline Coward, riding Crackentorp (8-1) for her uncle, Tim Easterby.