RYAN MOORE insists even a stubborn handicapper won’t stop one of his Royal Ascot mounts from a ‘career-best’.
Moore has a typically stellar book of top class rides for Aidan O’Brien and more over the next five days.
PAMoore is fancied to be top jockey at Royal Ascot this week[/caption]
But he has picked out one of his in particular on Wednesday, day two, who looks ahead of the curve.
Speaking of Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Caprice in the Kensington Palace Fillies’ Handicap at 3.05, he told Betfair: “The handicapper has refused to budge from a mark of 101 for her.
“This despite her having been beaten in her last four starts, which is disappointing.
“But I do think the step down to a mile that will suit this filly.
“Hopefully, she is primed for a career-best and any more rain will help her chances.”
Moore, who is favourite to be top jockey over the week, also opened up on some of his other big rides.
Tuesday 3.05 – River Tiber
“He was clearly very impressive when winning on his debut by 10 lengths on soft ground at Navan and I was again very taken with him when scoring under a 3lb penalty at Naas last time.
“Clearly, the manner in which he finished off his race over 5f would have given you plenty of encouragement that this extra furlong will bring out a lot of improvement in him.
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“In fact, I think he would probably get 7f already. The form of that Naas win has been franked since too, so we are obviously very hopeful of a big run.
“Confidence is not a word I would use with so many similarly unexposed promising 2yos in here, but I’ll just say he is in very good shape for this. We will see how being drawn six of 22 unfolds.”
Tuesday 6.10 – Vauban
“He is of obvious interest off 101 here, given his hurdling form. He is a Grade 1-winning, 160-rated hurdler, from the Mullins camp, so what is there not to like?
“Maybe his record so far would tell you a bit of ease in the ground would be preferable, but his chance is obvious off this weight, and you also have to remember he was also progressive in France on the Flat before going to Willie’s.
“He doesn’t lack pace, so I like the 1m6f trip for him, but you will need luck from your draw – and a decent start – in this as the bend comes at you very quickly here. His draw in seven could have been worse.”
Wednesday 4.20 – Luxembourg
“Even in the absence of Desert Crown, this is clearly a top-notch Group 1.
“You have to massively respect the claims of Adayar and My Prospero, and I would expect Bay Bridge to be ready to run his best race of the campaign here, and any ease in the ground by Wednesday afternoon would be very much in his favour.
“However, I beat him fair and square in Ireland last time and, although many said I got the run of the race from the front there, I would counter and say that my colt saw Bay Bridge off when challenged and was well on top at the line.
“When my horse is on his A-game, it will take a very good one to beat him.
“I suppose you could argue that Mostahdaf is the over-priced one in here of his best form, but he has to go and do it at the highest level.”
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