Move times it right in Abbaye

David O'Meara's Move In Time finished best to clinch a shock Group One victory in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp.

Runner-up on his last three appearances, including in a Group Three over course and distance last month, Move In Time was a 25-1 chance in the hands of Daniel Tudhope.

The two-year-old Cotai Glory was among those to set a scorching early gallop, but he weakened and it was Move In Time who had his head in front where it mattered in a rough renewal.

Rangali filled the runner-up spot ahead of Bryan Smart's Moviesta, while big outsider Spirit Quartz and Mirza were also in contention at the death but finished just out of the front three.

Eddie Lynam's star Sole Power was all the rage as the 13-8 favourite as he sought to add to his seasonal triumphs in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Nunthorpe at York.

But with a huge field assembled, the seven-year-old was always going to need some luck in running, and when he needed the gaps to appear in the later stages they failed to materialise.

O'Meara said: "It was a huge effort and a great ride by Danny. He's been second a lot this year and has run well round this track before. H e has been here twice before, and we knew he acted on the course.

"The draw was a bit of a negative, but he has won it and that's all that matters.

"Years ago, when I was riding over jumps, I had never even heard of the Abbaye, but I certainly have now."

Delighted joint-owner Andrew Turton, who hails from Selby in North Yorkshire, said: "Watching the race I was praying that he would get a run and that a gap would emerge and when it did he went through it in a flash."

Tudhope added: "I can't believe it, to ride a winner at this meeting is fantastic.

"There was a lot of shouting going on, as you can imagine - there were a lot of people getting a bit tight on the rail. But I managed to get a little gap just on the outside of them and it worked out well.

"I don't ride here very often and it is difficult to know where the line is. I'm delighted for David and the whole team."

Moviesta's part-owner Ritchie Fiddes said: "We've had a great day out, and we are very lucky to have actually got his ground today. He ran an unbelievable race, and he just got stopped in his stride when he was coming through, otherwise he'd have been closer.

"We'll have to think now whether we take him to America, or leave him for Dubai next year."

Lynam said of Sole Power: "Richard (Hughes) said he wasn't happy with him", while the jockey added: " It just didn't feel like him."


today's racing

Error occured
{{disciplineGroup.DisciplineFullText}}
{{course.CountryName || course.Country}}