Bookies eclipsed as Moon shines in Ebor

LUCA CUMANI sent the bookmakers home with their tails between their legs after Purple Moon landed another gamble for the master Italian trainer in the totesport Ebor at York yesterday.

The sponsors reckoned the 7-2 favourite’s victory in the famous old York handicap had cost the industry about £5m and he was roared home by the packed Knavesmire. He was the shortest-priced winner of the race in years – in stark contrast to 2006’s 100-1 skinner Mudawin – and now Cumani is after another big payday in the Melbourne Cup.

Purple Moon’s career has certainly been eventful, as new owner Craig Bennett paid 440,000 guineas for him from the Sir Michael Stoute stable at the 2006 Newmarket October Sales and sent him jumping with Nicky Richards.