Echelon stars in Moore double

Last updated at 16:38 08 September 2007

Ryan Moore stole the show on the Champion Stakes undercard at Leopardstown with

a near 17-1 double, highlighted by Echelon's first victory at the top level in

the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's five-year-old has twice come up short in Group One

company, and was only added to the field for the race when supplemented last

Monday at a cost of 25,000 euros.

She handsomely repaid her owners Cheveley Park Stud as Moore sent the 9-4

favourite clear well inside the final furlong of the mile contest.

Echelon stuck her to guns in admirable fashion to collect by a length and a

half.

Peeress was touched off by Red Evie in the race 12 months ago, but Cheveley

Park exacted revenge as Red Evie settled for second this time under Jamie

Spencer.

Michael Bell's charge was locked away on the rail for most of the race and gave

gallant chase, but could not quite close the gap with the winner.

Stoute said: "She should have been entered in this race in the first place but

she ran badly in Ireland in the Pretty Polly we didn't want to go back to

Ireland.

"But after so won so well at Goodwood last time and came out of her race so

well we had to come back and have a shot.

"She looked the winner from a long way out and travelled so well.

"She is tough and has won six Group race now - she gets better."

Moore added: "We had a good draw which helped us to get a prominent position

and we had a good run all the way round."

Cheveley Park representative, John Marsh, said: "She has done us proud.

"We were second in the race last year when we didn't get the rub of the green,

so it is great to actually win."

Connections of Red Evie (7-2) were more than happy with her performance despite

failing to post consecutive wins in the race, which marked her meteoric rise to

the top last year.

Bell said: "She was tight for room and the winner is better on this ground

than we are - it has been well documented that she likes a bit of juice.

"We just beat Cheveley Park in this race last year, so they got their

revenge.

"Given the way the race panned out she has ran well, and it is her first time

placed as she normally wins or is well beaten.

"We will head to Longchamp now for the Prix de la Foret."

Eastern Appeal crossed the line in third but was demoted to fourth, having

interfered with 1000 Guineas runner-up Arch Swing, who was awarded third spot.

Moore's Midas touch was earlier applied to Hearthstead Maison, who got the

British off to a flyer in the Group Three StarAir Kilternan Stakes.

The 9-2 chance was pumped along off the final bend but responded in game

fashion to take the lead well inside the final furlong.

He soon had things wrapped up and crossed the line a length and a half and a

neck clear of Arch Rebel and Bell's Regime respectively.