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24 Jun 2023 - NEWS
O'BRIEN AND MOORE TAKE TOP TRAINER AND JOCKEY TITLES
Thomas Hobson set for Melbourne Cup adventure
Posted in: Royal Ascot News
Thomas Hobson will be aimed at the Melbourne Cup after winning the Ascot Stakes for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ryan Moore.
It is the third time the trainer and jockey duo have teamed up to take the two miles, four furlongs contest. The seven-year-old Thomas Hobson was the 4/1 favourite and beat Endless Acres, trained by Charlie Fellowes, by six lengths.
"Melbourne is the endgame," said Mullins, Ireland's champion jumps trainer. "We got around with firm ground today. Maybe he's more mature, maybe he will take running on firm ground, but it opens up more opportunities for us, including Melbourne. I spoke to John Gosden last night [who trained Thomas Hobson in the early part of his career] and he said he didn't enjoy ground like this as a young horse, but maybe he's more mature.
"'We have only got one runner this week, although I had five or six entered. I was just a bit worried about the ground.
"We will see how Thomas Hobson comes out of it before deciding if he runs again on Saturday [in the Queen Alexandra Stakes]. The only thing is that this was a record time and the ground is only going to get faster all week.
"The Melbourne Cup would be the first thing on my mind. To me, that performance is good enough to go there, but there is probably another race or two to go before then.
"It's fantastic to have a winner at a festival like this - it's magic."
Ryan Moore, who was riding his first winner at this year's Royal Meeting, said: "I felt it was a strong pace and let Thomas Hobson warm in to it. At Swinley Bottom they were slowing down every step of the way and it was about giving him a clear run at that stage. He has won very easily.
"Turning in I was thinking, 'just get a clear run and he'll win from here'. Like all Willie's horses, he stays very well and is very fit."
"It is a remarkable experience. Thomas Hobson looked very fit to me and I thought he would do himself justice," said winning owner Rich Ricci, who owns many of Mullins' best jumps horses.
"I was not sure about the ground, but he was very, very good today. This isn't our game but it's great to be part of it."
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