Superb Ryan Moore ride sees Luxembourg capture fourth Group 1 in Coronation Cup

Aidan O'Brien may have had to grapple with the unpredictability of some of his leading stars but he could depend on the ever-consistent Luxembourg to provide him with only his second top-level victory of the year in the Coronation Cup. Warm Heart in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational was the other.

Luxembourg made all under a masterful ride from Ryan Moore to secure a top-level prize for the fourth season in a row, dictating the pace from the outset and readily seeing off last year's winner Emily Upjohn. Hamish, who was making just his second start in Group 1 company, proved the only threat down the home straight but O'Brien never looked concerned from his viewing spot by the winning post as his runner held off the challenge to win by a length.

"It's a difficult race to win and we're delighted with him," O'Brien said. "We ran him a little bit short through the winter as a mile and a half is probably the trip he loves.

"Ryan gave him a great ride, he had a lovely rhythm early on and when he started to quicken his fractions were brilliant. A horse like that in front, the way Ryan was riding him, he was always going to be difficult to deal with."

Luxembourg (right) fends off Hamish to win at EpsomCredit: Edward Whitaker

Luxembourg was cut to 4-1 (from 10) with Paddy Power for the Coral-Eclipse but O'Brien is considering a return to Ascot for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, a race he finished fourth in last year.

"The better the ground the better he'll be, so we think he'll hopefully be a King George horse," he said.

"The good thing is we're now able to take him abroad too, as he loves fast ground and handles the journey well. Hopefully he'll have a lot of good races ahead as physically he's progressed this year. I thought he was stronger than he's ever been and he's very sound. He's brilliant."

While O'Brien extended his record in the race to nine, the win was a fourth Coronation Cup triumph for Moore, who was unflappable from the front on his first ride of this year's Derby meeting.

"He's been a great horse," Moore said. "Things didn't work out for him in the Middle East, he ran well the first day and the second day was a mess, but he's been a very consistent horse his whole life and has now been a Group 1 winner at two, three, four and five. Not many horses can do that.

The King presents Aidan O'Brien with the Coronation CupCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's straightforward and honest. This was his first Group 1 win at a mile and a half and I always thought that would suit him, so I'm delighted he's won today. The team have done a good job to bring him back to win."

There was nothing but praise for Hamish from assistant trainer Maureen Haggas, who was delighted to see her stable favourite finish in the top two for the tenth consecutive time.

"I'm thrilled," she said. "He could have done with more rain. It wasn't wet enough and I asked William [Haggas, trainer] this morning if we were doing the right thing but it might not rain for three months so you've got to run. He's like my pet and is a bloody star."

The first two pulled six lengths clear of French-trained runner Feed The Flame, with Emily Upjohn further back in fourth. Time Lock, who was Harry Charlton's first Group 1 runner as a sole trainer, trailed in last.

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