SANDOWN Friday

SENT off at a generous 5/6, Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Ocean became the first horse to record back-to-back victories in the Group 3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes when stretching away from Knight To Behold at Sandown yesterday.

Ryan Moore was always well placed behind the eventual runner-up and went on with two furlongs to travel. Merely pushed out with hands and heels, Crystal Ocean looks an improved horse at five, which is quite something after a fine campaign last year which saw him narrowly beaten in the King George at Ascot.

Twelve months ago, on much easier ground, Fabricate all but worried him out of the Gordon Richards but an honest fourth was as much as the Michael Bell runner could manage this time, Extra Elusive keeping on well to take third.

“That was a better performance than last year and he’s been a model of consistency,” said trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

“We need to win a Group 1 with him and could go to Newbury followed by Ascot but there is also the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh, so we’ll have to have a think about it.”

Stoute was winning the race for a remarkable 10th time, while Moore’s fifth success carried him past Lester Piggott’s four. The former champion was completing a double, having won the opening Esher Cup on Richard Hannon’s 9/1 chance Masaru.