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The Aidan O'Brien-trained Point Lonsdale made favourite backers sweat to land the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at Chester this afternoon.

The four-year-old returned to action with Group 3 success in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh last month when beating subsequent Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes winner Visualisation and was subsequently well fancied to provide O'Brien and Moore with further Chester glory.

Sent off the well-backed 5/6 market leader Ryan Moore found himself in box position as the pair tracked leader Poker Face throughout. However, Ryan Moore soon became animated in the saddle with the colt seemingly struggling to go the early tempo. The son of Australia was off the bridle for much of the contest but fought his way past Poker Face to take it up turning for home. William Haggas' Mujtaba switched down towards the rail to mount his challenge but could only get within a neck. The Noel Meade-trained Layfayette stayed on well from the back of the field to grab third.

Speaking with ITV Racing Ryan Moore said: "It wasn't very pretty was it. He's a real galloper and he's probably never really been around a tight track like this before. He's only really been at the Curragh, Leopardstown, and Ascot and he was just a bit unsure what to do with himself. He's got a great attitude to be fair to him though".

Point Lonsdale is now the 5-2 co-favourite from 4/1 alongside Emily Upjohn and Westover.