Athos easy winner of Ormonde

Mount Athos (11/8) routed his rivals when landing the Group Three Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

Jamie Spencer made sure there was no hanging around in the extended one mile five contest and the result wasn't in doubt from a long way out.

The race lacked strength in depth with only two horses seriously entertained by the bookmakers and when favourite, Memphis Tennessee, began to drop himself out several furlongs from home there was only every going to be one winner.

The nine year old Mad Moose, belatedly switched to the Flat by Nigel Twiston-Davies after refusing to start over fences, completed a remarkable turn around in his fortunes in taking second with the remainder strung out like washing.

Owner Dr Marwan Koukash is now hoping to turn out again quickly at York next week, although Luca Cumani is not keen.

"We could take him to York next week (for the Yorkshire Cup) as he hasn't really had a race today," Koukash said. "I'm sure he works harder at home than he has today.

"The Melbourne Cup is the ultimate aim. We may take him to Ascot for the Gold Cup, speaking to the handicapper in Australia, they assure me for an Ascot Gold Cup winner it would be no more than 55kg so we may consider that."

Cumani quickly shot down the idea of a quick return on the Knavesmire, though.

He said: "He doesn't go (to York). He's too good a horse to run that often. Marwan gave me two objectives this year, this race and the Melbourne Cup, so now it's all eyes on the Melbourne Cup.

"He's a very, very generous horse and puts a lot into what he does. He's always very eager to please and although he looks like he's doing it easily, he does put a lot of effort in.

"Last year he won his three races in England nicely spaced out and I think we'll stick with the plan. He will probably have another two, or maybe three races, before the Melbourne Cup but we're not going to abuse him at this stage."

Spencer said: "You can see for yourself (the ground) is all scuffed up (on the rail) and this horse is a real fast ground horse. It was very brave of Mr Cumani and Dr Koukash to run as conditions were against him - God help the rest of them if it was fast"