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UK: Abbaye plan for Masterpiece

3 minute read

Gary Moore feels Dutch Masterpiece has earned a shot at the Prix de l'Abbaye after his victory in Saturday's Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

Sussex-based Moore holds Richard Green's gelding in the highest regard, and the three-year-old is a winner of six of his nine starts to date.

The Group Three event was his first attempt outside of handicap company and he quickened smartly under Joseph O'Brien in the final stages to beat Hamza by half a length.

"Joseph was full of praise for the horse and the entries close this week for the Prix de l'Abbaye, so we'll put him in there," said Moore.

"We might give him another run somewhere if there's something suitable, but I'm not fussed if we take him straight to Longchamp as he's very easy to train."

Asked how Dutch Masterpiece rated against other sprinters previously in his care, Moore said: "I haven't had too many good ones, but I think he's the best one I've had.

"No Extras (a multiple winner) was a good horse and I trained Hitchens early in his career, but David Barron must take the credit for making him the horse he is. This horse is obviously very good, and a bit more straight-forward than Hitchens."