Moore strikes again on American juvenile

American challenger Acapulco landed some very hefty bets in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The giant Wesley Ward-trained filly was heavily supported as the 5-2 favourite for the five-furlong Group Two and broke smartly in the hands of Ryan Moore, who was partnering his fourth winner of the meeting.

While stable companion Bruised Orange blazed a trail on the other side of the track, Acapulco led the group racing towards the stands side and quickened up from two furlongs out to leave her rivals toiling.

Easton Angel ran a blinder to fill the runner-up spot and was easily best of those racing away from the market leader, but was still beaten readily by a length and a half.

Another leading fancy in Besharah finished third to give the form an extremely solid look.

Ward said: "She's a sweetheart, what a lovely filly, she really proved herself today.

"We went over all the horses at the sale and I pointed out to Mr Tabor which ones I liked and thankfully we got the right one.

"It's a huge relief to get a winner at the meeting, it's just amazing."

"I hope to inspire more Americans to come over and have a go as we've some really fast two-year-olds that come out early.

"It's such a privilege and hopefully we'll see some of the bigger trainers with better pedigrees come over.

"I was very disappointed with her first run and I did something very unconventional, I let her breeze seven days afterwards but it was the most phenomenal breeze on grass I've ever seen and thanks go to Keeneland for allowing me to do that.

"I'll talk with the owners and see what they wish to do, but she has a big future on turf."

Michael Dods said of Easton Angel: "We have the best two-year-old in England, but nobody likes finishing second.

"It was a great run and we're delighted, but we'd have preferred to win.

"She's run her heart out and Paul (Mulrennan) said if she'd been drawn closer to the winner he thinks he'd have given her a race because she was isolated in stall one.

"You wouldn't think she'd had a race, she's so laid back. We're delighted to have her and there's big races in her.

"Paul said she'll get six furlongs easy, but we'll sit down and come up with a plan."

Dods, meanwhile, feels Easton Angel could be well weighted for the Weatherbys Super Sprint.

"She's in the Super Sprint, she's in sales races at York and Doncaster," he added.

"I think a bit easier ground would suit this filly, she got away with it today. The ground is quick and she's run her heart out.

"This is the first real race she's had. She didn't have one at Musselburgh and Beverley. She had to knuckle down today, but she's been beaten by a serious racehorse."