Aidan O'Brien recorded a record-breaking eighth Cheshire Oaks success at Chester this afternoon as Savethelastdance powered to a facile twenty-two-length victory…
The three-year-old filly stayed on strongly to win a 1m2f Leopardstown maiden on heavy ground last month despite being sent off 20/1.
The daughter of Galileo was slowly away in the early stages, but jockey Ryan Moore never looked to panic with the pace appearing strong. She soon latched onto the field's main body and travelled nicely throughout much of the race. The pair turned for home and the result never looked in doubt as the 8/11 favourite quickened up in breath-taking style before powering up the Roudee straight. There's The Door, who missed badly missed the break, plugged on for a remote second with Ermesinde filling third.
In an interview with ITVs Matt Chapman jockey Ryan Moore said: "Look she stepped a little slow, but they went very hard early on, and she just relaxed and followed them around. They kind of all gave up. All the others gave up and she was just getting going. She's stretched all the way to line and barely put a foot wrong. She was real, good the last half mile.
"She's probably given me as good a feel in this race as any other horse I've rode before".
Paul Smith from Coolmore spoke with ITV: "Ryan was very complimentary about her. I'm very happy. Ryan said she gave him a lovely feel and hit the line very strongly. Powered through the line and we can only be happy".
Despite Aidan O'Brien winning this race for the eighth time none of the previous seven have gone on to claim Epsom glory.
Savethelastdance already headed the Epsom Oaks market prior to today when a general 5/1 and has been slashed to a general 13/8 following that emphatic success.
