York could be on agenda for Hopewell Rock after Goodwood triumph

Having been thwarted by George Boughey’s Bow Echo earlier in the week, Ryan Moore teamed up with the trainer to win the Highclere Castle Gin Summer Handicap at Goodwood with Hopewell Rock.

As Billy Loughnane, Boughey’s stable jockey, was in action at Newmarket, Moore took full advantage on the four-year-old, who was the beaten favourite in the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Sent off 5-1 on this occasion, Moore bided his time until just over a furlong out when he hit the front and had enough in reserve to hold off Oisin Murphy on Joseph O’Brien’s Small Fry, who could be considered marginally unlucky three-quarters of a length away. O’Brien was also third with Aeronautic.

“I thought he was one of our best chances of the week at Royal Ascot and, for some reason, he didn’t show up. He looked super out the back today and got a super ride,” said Boughey.

“I’ve always wanted to step him up, even to two miles, and today was the big thing for Wathnan (owners). It’s a massive meeting for them. We haven’t thought much past today but he can probably step up into Stakes company and hopefully turn into a Cup horse at some point.

“He’s in the Ebor and I think, at the moment, York is a pretty natural stepping stone for him but we’ll take it a day at the time.”