Moore hails River as one of the best he has ridden

Simply the best? That is what Aidan O’Brien was left to ponder following a glowing endorsement from Ryan Moore after Constitution River’s dazzling Coral-Eclipse triumph at Sandown.

In a racing world continually dominated by the O’Brien family it is perhaps no surprise that it was Donnacha O’Brien’s A Boy Named Susie which split the French Derby winner and Chantilly runner-up Hawk Mountain on this ocassion.

O’Brien junior called Constitution River ‘a serious beast’ in his own post-match reflections and when it was his father’s turn to speak he was in no doubt where the son of Wootton Bassett stands amongst the current Ballydoyle alumni after providing him with a record-extending 10th win in the 10-furlong Group One.

“He’s a very good horse and Ryan has said he is not sure he has ridden a better horse, which is unlike Ryan,” said O’Brien, who has previously won this race with the likes of Giant’s Causeway, Hawk Wing and the Moore-ridden City Of Troy.

“He was a bit green there early in the straight and it’s a good thing he races a little lazy as we’re always trying to slow those horses down and get them to relax. It’s easy to wake them up.

“He’s a proper horse and you know me, I don’t sit on the fence which gets me into trouble, but he has to be the best of our three-year-olds.”

O’Brien’s sentiments were echoed by his big-game pilot who refrained from repeating the line he uttered to his boss, but left it in no doubt he believes he had just partnered a top-class performer still on the upgrade.

Moore said: “I think he’s very smart and they have to go and do it and so far he is, long may it continue

“The others (middle-distance three-year-olds) have been winning at a mile and a half but I think he’s a proper one who has done nothing wrong and has a great record.

“He really would have the pace to come back to a mile but he’s a big horse out of a Le Havre mare and looking at his pedigree you would say he has the scope and size to just continue improving.

“There’s plenty of size and substance there and he’s a lovely horse who so far has done nothing wrong.”

Also impressed was Coolmore partner Derrick Smith, who having made the journey to Esher to watch this year’s best in class, was left feeling the world is very much Constitution River’s oyster.

He said: “It was a special performance and Ryan was held in for a moment by the Wathnan horse (Gethin) and couldn’t go right so had to go left and had to break his stride in doing so but after that it was all over in seconds.

“This horse can go anywhere and was staying on strong at the line. A mile and a half you would think would be within his compass but he’s been good at a mile and a quarter and we’ll have to sit down after we enjoy this.”