Delacroix's Stunning Comeback: 'Incredible' Moore Ride Stuns at Sandown Ryan Moore and Delacroix produced one of the best finishing bursts witnessed for many a year in the Coral-Eclipse as they stormed home on the outside of runners to win the Sandown feature race. Delacroix was the beaten favourite in the Epsom Derby last month after getting shuffled back through the field early on and effectively losing all chance. He bounced back in spectacular fashion at Sandown in the all-aged Group 1 contest, so often a clash of the generations, as he ran down Royal Ascot winner Ombudsman in spectacular fashion late on. Trainer Aidan O'Brien labelled it 'mind-blowing' post-race after seeing the Dubawi colt come from last to first in thrilling fashion. Coral Betting Offer If you already have a Coral account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos O'Brien's Eclipse dominance goes on The victory was a third in succession in the Sandown feature race for trainer O'Brien and his ninth in total, following on from the likes of Giant's Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005), Mount Nelson (2008), So You Think (2011), St Mark's Basilica (2021), Paddington (2023) and City of Troy (2024). Delacroix was sent off the 3/1 second-favourite, with last month's Prince Of Wales's Stakes winner Ombudsman heading the betting for John & Thady Gosden, William Buick and Godolphin. French ace Sosie cut out the running for Andre Fabre and Maxime Guyon, while Jessica Harrington's Hotazhell was always in close attendance. Camille Pissarro, the second O'Brien contender, got out after the leaders under Christophe Soumillon at the furlong pole as Ombudsman was committed for home, but couldn't sustain his effort when it briefly appeared like the Gosden runner would take the win. Delacroix and Moore, travelling widest after being held up and looking a hugely unlikely winner with a furlong and a half to run, powered home on the outside and got up a neck up in the final 50 yards or so for the most breathtaking of wins. Moore hailed for epic ride In a small-field contest with an ever-changing complexion, Moore's quality made all the difference in the saddle. Most would have predicted Delacroix would go forward early on but that didn't materialise and the rider took his time. "It was mind-blowing to make up that ground from where he came from," said O'Brien. "I thought Ryan was going to make the running but obviously you don't tell him what to do. I didn't know what to make of it when I saw it all changing. “Ryan said this week that he thinks Delacroix is a miler, whereas I always thought this was his trip, so that kept ringing in my head." Moore admitted he was unsure at times, but eventually felt there was an inevitability about the outcome very late on. His trainer paid tribute to the rider's judgement and said he is a jockey that trusts his own racing brain and remains capable of executing a winning ride, even when he has to change tactics mid-race. "Ryan stuck to his judgement. He kept calm and had one go at it. What a ride he gave him. It's incredible to have somebody riding with the power and confidence he has,” O’Brien added. "Ryan said he had to change the plan four times during the race. There was so much happening in the race but Ryan remained calm, collected and clinical."
