RICHARD Hannon’s Armor (Ryan Moore) has always enjoyed a big home reputation, and he justified that as he landed the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes in the style of a high-class colt.

In need of the experience when a creditable fifth behind Chipotle in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, the son of No Nay Never reversed form with the winner and Boonie (Kevin Ryan/Danny Tudhope) from Ascot in no uncertain terms.

Boonie, third in the Windsor Castle, filled the same spot here, with favourite Fearby (Ed Bethell/P J McDonald) splitting him and the 6/1 winner.

Held up near the stands rail by Ryan Moore, Armor was produced to tackle early leader Boonie inside the final furlong at the same time that Fearby made his challenge, but Armor was much the strongest, and as the other pair battled it out for minor honours, the winner powered away to win by three and a quarter lengths, with Fearby edging second by three-parts of a length.

Hannon, gaining his 20th success at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, said: “We have always thought a lot of Armor and he worked very well on Sunday morning. He was tapped for speed a little bit coming down to the furlong and a half marker, but Ryan said he would like the ground – I think he knows what he’s on about – and he did.

“We’ll look at something like the Prix Morny now, maybe the Flying Childers. He’s not a big horse, and if he makes a three-year-old, then great, but he is good enough now and this is his year. He will get six furlongs and we’ll have to have a go at a Group 1 race over that trip now

Surprise winner

The Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes produced a surprise winner in the shape of Kevin Ryan’s five-year-old mare Last Empire, who provided jockey Danny Tudhope and owner Steve Parkin of Clipper Logistics with the first leg of a double on the card.

Last Empire was having her first run over the seven furlong trip of the Oak Tree, but the 16/1 shot appeared to relish it as she put a disappointing run in the Cecil Frail Stakes at Haydock behind her.

The daughter of Pivotal was always handy behind the pace-setting Highfield Princess (John Quinn/Jason Hart), and tackled that filly a furlong out before holding the late challenge of Onassis (Charlie Fellowes/Hayley Turner) by half a length, with Highfield Princess a neck away in third.

There were five non-runners due to the ground, leaving a field of 12, with Bounce The Blues sent off favourite but disappointing, along with Jersey Stakes runner-up Vadream.

Highfield Princess tacked across to lead from the widest draw, with Jason Hart able to set his own tempo before quickening with a quarter mile to go.

That manoeuvre had a few in trouble, including the runner-up, who was caught in a difficult spot when the pace quickened, but Last Empire was always well positioned, and the nature of the race played to her strengths.

It’s doubtful whether the winner would be as effective at seven furlongs on a more galloping track, but Kevin Ryan was happy to roll the dice, as he explained thus: “I spoke to Steve Parkin this morning and he was very confident that Last Empire would get the trip. If you are going to get it, you are going to get it around here.

In season

“Last Empire loves soft ground and, although her last run was very disappointing, she came back very heavily in season, so we brought her back, got her nice and fresh, and started again.

“Danny gave her a great ride. When you have a good draw here, you have to keep it and you have to believe they are going to get the trip.

“We were always aiming for the sprint on Champions Day because we felt that she would likely get her ground there and the stiff six furlongs will suit her. I would say that will still be on the agenda.”