Champion jockey Oisin Murphy has opened his account for Royal Ascot 2020 with a victory aboard Sir Busker in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup Handicap.
The William Knight-trained winner priced at 12-1, off the back of tight win at Newcastle two weeks ago, showed a late burst of pace to edge out Salayel by three-quarters of a length.
Joint 4-1 favourite Maydanny was leading a group on the far side of the track in the final stretch while Murphy kept stand-side, keeping an eye on one of the more experienced riders in the race.
"I was drawn high, I was drawn 18 and Ouzo and a couple of the fancied ones were drawn even higher than that," said Murphy after the win.
"Frankie (Dettori) was drawn higher as well on Alternative Fact. They ride Ascot as good as anyone, better than anyone, so I wanted to follow those riders.
"I have no doubt, that's not great bias today, the going stick tells us the fastest ground is on the far side. You can't race on your own, you have to go where the good horses are."
Murphy commented on how thrilled he was to get the ride ahead of today's racing and he was even more thrilled to get the opening win at Ascot.
"It's very important. I've had a luckless few days leading up to this and obviously confidence is up and down," added Murphy.
"I've been trying to believe myself nonetheless and I'm just pleased to get one on the board with good chance, particularly tomorrow and Saturday."
Brilliant ride from @oismurphy! Sir Busker wins the Silver Royal Hunt Cup for @WKnightRacing#RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/7Ga2erUw3k
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
The win comes less than two weeks after the Kerry native's British Classic success when he guided Kameko to victory at an eerie Newmarket racecourse to claim his first 2000 Guineas winner.
He admits it is not the same, racing behind closed doors but that it still means as much.
"There wasn't the roar of the crowd that we love and dream about all year round but it's amazing," said Murphy.
"Royal Ascot is very important and to get on the scoresheet is important to me as a rider."
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