Franny Norton: it's fantastic to finally win the biggest race at my track

Franny Norton reflects on a magnificent first Chester Cup success aboard Making Miracles

I was thinking all week that I'd never won the Chester Cup. It's my track, I've had a lot of support and to finally win the biggest race here is fantastic.

Once I got across from my wide draw, I thought I'd steady things down and go at my pace. He [Making Miracles] was just lobbing along and when Ryan [Moore] came to me on Low Sun three and half furlongs out I knew I had a lot of horse under me. Every time I got on a bit of fresh ground, he was a different horse altogether. He won easily and had plenty of energy at the finish.

Norton: 'The Chester Cup has always been a race I wanted to win and I'm going to enjoy it.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

I'm 48 and still fighting strong. I had my best season last season with 112 winners and this has been a good day. It's always been a race I wanted to win and I'm going to enjoy it.

I've been with Mark Johnston for a few years now and he's really helped my career. I've just been lucky – without him it could have been a different story – and thankfully I've been able to give him a little bit back.

I've had a few close calls in this race, none more so than in 2000. I got beat a short head on Ansar, a good horse of Dermot Weld's, after just losing out to Bangalore. I should have won that year but I've never ridden one as easy as that today.

It's been a massive week, with my team Liverpool coming back against Barcelona on Tuesday night. For them to do what they did is almost as good as me winning the Chester Cup.

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app