RYAN THE HEARTSTOPPER!

If you thought Ryan Moore couldn’t leave a winning challenge any later than that he executed on Broome in the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup, then the final lunge up the rail aboard Sibelius in the $2 million Gr1 Dubai Golden Shaheen was even more of a heart-stopper as he denied last year’s winner Switzerland by a nose.

In doing so he gave Irishman Jeremiah O’Dwyer by far the biggest win of his career.

Deep into the straight it looked as if the finish would be an all-American one, fought out between Frankie Dettori on Hopkins and Tyler

Gaffalione on Gunite.

But the race changed complexion at the 200 metre mark, with Switzerland launched down the outside by Tadhg O’Shea and Moore moving up on the rail.

Sibelius is born, bred and trained in the United States but O’Dwyer’s role will ensure celebrations in Ireland’s County Tipperary, while owners Jun Park and Della Nash can reflect on the wisdom of placing their trust in the young handler.

O'Dwyer said: "The race worked out quite the way I had predicted. You know you can read these races a hundred times but it will never go the same way. To be honest, he just sat back in the gates and was a bit slow but when you have a master rider like Ryan Moore, he gets you out of trouble.

"It really is a proud moment for us. I am grateful to the owners. They let me do what is best with the horse every step of the way and never interfere.

"He trains like a good horse, he acts like a good horse, he rides like a good horse.

"Junior Alvarado gave him his last breeze before we shipped out. He was not able to make it over and there's some Derby trials and big handicaps in America so he could not be here."

Moore said: "I was very lucky to pick up the ride. He actually stepped a little slowly, I was a half-length further behind than I wanted to be. We had a charmed run, they just drifted off which meant we didn't have to change lanes and the horse dug in really deep. He showed a lot of courage and heart to get there.

"He has form over a little bit further which I think really helped too."

Winning time: 01:10.69 (race record 01:09.01)