It’s impossible to ignore the claims of Ryan Moore to be top jockey at Royal Ascot. His tally of winners is inextricably linked to the Aidan O’Brien stable and only a serious injury or suspension once the meeting has begun can prevent Moore being leading rider at the summer festival for seventh the time in 8 years.
Even at 1/3 there could be some mileage in backing someone who could be the best jockey in the world riding most winners at Ascot over five days. Royal Ascot is the most famous Flat meeting in the world and features 8 Group I races and 18 Group contests in total. Moore has leading chances in the main races.
Since 2010 it was only in 2013 that Moore did not win the leading rider title. Over the last 10 years three winners or more have been required to take the honour. Two years ago Moore had nine winners at Royal Ascot and that tally could be a record for many years to come. Six wins were enough to take the title last year.
O’Brien is the clear favourite to be the leading trainer and Moore has first pick on his best prospects. No other combination has the fire power in numbers and quality which means it would take a freakish set of results to prevent O’Brien and Moore accumulating most winners at Royal Ascot. John Gosden has some entries of the highest quality but not in the numbers to get close to O’Brien.
Moore now focuses on major international races and he has no interest in the jockey’s championship. He can pick and choose his mounts and often rides leading contenders in the best races around the world. He has an excellent book of rides for Ascot and could pick up some good assignments in the handicaps. Moore won’t be sitting out too many races at the Flat meeting that matters most.
There are five well fancied horses priced around even money and the accumulator pays about 24/1. Moore does not have the ride on Ribchester but will be on board the other four because they are all trained by O’Brien. Churchill, Order Of St George, Caravaggio and Winter look good things and that would be four winners for Moore with many more prospects to contribute to his tally.
This multiple is being compared to the damage Willie Mullins can cause at the Cheltenham Festival with a string of fancied runners. Royal Ascot has gone the way of the punters over the last few years and this acca would put them miles in front. Some bettors just follow Moore blindly and they will be on. The bookmakers need at least one of the five to lose to avoid the nightmare scenario.
Moore’s price reflects the quality of horses he is riding at Ascot. In sport things don’t always go to plan but this is a 1/3 shot that could still hold some value. Moore is the best jockey riding the best horses so it makes sense to take the short prices for him to dominate Royal Ascot again.
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