Royal Ascot Friday review: Alpha Centauri storms home in Coronation Stakes

Harrington opens Ascot account in style

Alpha Centauri provided Jessica Harrington with a first Royal Ascot success after a brilliant victory in the Coronation Stakes.

Harrington, 71, has won many of jump racing's biggest prizes - including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase - but was still seeking a first triumph at the showpiece fixture of the Flat season.

Alpha Centauri brought strong claims to the table after claiming Classic glory in last month's Irish 1,000 Guineas and was the 11/4 favourite to follow up in the hands of Colm O'Donoghue.

Veracious and Aim Of Artemis led the field into the home straight, but Alpha Centauri soon loomed up ominously.

Once given her head, the Irish challenger bounded clear for a hugely impressive six-length verdict in a course-record time, with Threading coming through to beat Veracious to the runner-up spot.

Richard Hannon's shock Newmarket Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook was a creditable fourth, but Teppal, winner of the French Guineas for David Simcock, finished down the field.

Harrington said: "She was absolutely amazing. I thought when Colm turned in 'jeepers, he's gone very soon', but the further he went the further he was going away. I couldn't believe it.

"She's a very big filly and on soft ground, she physically can't get her feet out of it. She just floats on that top of the ground.

"I have a lot of people behind me and a lot of very nice owners who give me nice horses.

"I've had Ascot winners, but I've never had a Royal Ascot winner and it's absolutely fantastic."

Commonwealth glory for Eqtidaar

Royal Ascot's most successful trainer Sir Michael Stoute tasted more Group One glory as Eqtidaar landed the Commonwealth Cup.

Successful with Poet's Word and Expert Eye on Wednesday, the master of Freemason Lodge has enjoyed a tremendous week and his 12/1 winner here struck despite drifting to his left under Jim Crowley's drive.

He passed the post a length ahead of Sands Of Mali who ran a huge race for the Richard Fahey team, comfortably coming out on top in the group which raced close to the stands' rail.

Emblazoned (12/1) was third with 2/1 favourite Sioux Nation the notable disappointment in the race.

Stoute was saddling his third winner of the week and said: "We've always liked this horse. When he ran here in the Pavilion it didn't go quite right for him and at Newbury (last time) he was on the wrong side of the track and at halfway he was beaten. He worked very well the other week with Jim Crowley, so we were hopeful. He's progressing nicely."

Check out Richard Fahey's reaction to Sands Of Mali's run in his exclusive column right here.

Progressive Persian delivers punch

Old Persian (9/2) continued a golden run for William Buick and Charlie Appleby by landing the King Edward VII Stakes.

This success followed hot on the heels of Masar's win in the Investec Derby and Blue Point's triumph in the King's Stand and the Godolphin team have another exciting prospect on their hands in this son of Dubawi.

He tracked leader Raa Atoll for much of this Group Two contest before striking for home shortly after turning in. The Ballydoyle batallion set sail after him but neither Rostropovich (7/1) or Giuseppe Garibaldi (15/2) could get to the leader. They had to settle for the minor placings beaten a length-and-three-quarters and a neck.

Appleby said: "Last season we had a great team of two-year-olds, they all wintered well and came into the spring in great nick. This horse has done nothing but progress through the spring. Will (Buick) made a great manoeuvre after the first two or three furlongs to sit on Frankie's (Dettori, on Raa Atoll) quarters and once he hit the front I was confident he would see it out well.

"I'm delighted for the team. We'll enjoy today and regroup over the next week or two."

Sky Bet make the winner a 14/1 chance for the William Hill St Leger, spokesman Michael Shinners saying: "Old Persian is a progressive three-year-old and it would be no surprise to see connections go down the Leger route. He seems to stay well and we haven't seen the best of him yet."

Doyle the Main man in Albany

Main Edition, ridden by James Doyle and trained by Mark Johnston, won the Albany Stakes.

American speedball Stillwater Cove set a ferocious gallop towards the far side rail and those drawn low appeared to hold the advantage as Fairyland struck the front with a furlong and a half to travel.

She still led into the final furlong but Main Edition and Godolphin filly La Pelosa (12/1) were finishing with a rattle down the middle of the track and it was Johnston's 7/1 chance who claimed a hard-fought, neck victory.

Fairyland (5/2) had to settle for third a further half-length back, while her stablemate Just Wonderful was the disappointing 2/1 favourite under Ryan Moore.

Sky Bet make the winner 16/1 for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket next year - Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners saying: "She kept her unbeaten record in what looked a strong renewal. She is now joint-favourite for the Classic alongside stablemate Natalie's Joy who gets her chance to shine in Saturday's Chesham Stakes."

Johnston said: "We came here knowing that she was pretty useful after two runs and two wins. We think our team of two-year-old fillies this year is very strong and this is was one of the leading bunch. It's great for her and it says a lot for all the others as well."

Another winner for Value Bet as Agrotera just awesome in Sandringham

Agrotera blew apart a competitive-looking renewal of the Sandringham Handicap for trainer Ed Walker, providing the in-form Value Bet with yet another Royal Ascot winner in the process.

Ed Walker’s charge was available at 12/1 when Ben Linfoot put him up on Thursday night but was sent off the well-backed 11/2 favourite and won in the manner of a very smart filly.

Settled in the rear in the early stages, jockey Jamie Spencer cut a motionless figure for much of the one-mile contest until Agrotera began to scythe through the pack with a couple of furlongs to run.

Despite edging slightly to her left as she burst to the front inside the final furlong, Agrotera had plenty left in the tank and pulled two and three quarter lengths clear of Ortiz with Escape The City a further length back in the third.

Spice lands finale for Silvestre

David Elsworth and Silvestre de Sousa combined to land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot with Dash Of Spice.

The four-year-old was the 7/2 favourite to follow up his emphatic victory at Epsom on Derby day three weeks ago and was well positioned throughout under the champion jockey.

De Sousa had make his challenge wide at the top of the home straight, but Dash Of Spice found plenty for pressure in the final furlong and ultimately won with something to spare.

Sir Chauvelin ran a blinder to finish second ahead of Walton Street and Appeared.

Sky Bet punter strikes it rich!

It wasn't the easiest day to find winners, but one Sky Bet punter managed to find all six - his £8.80 stake returning £44,000 after a remarkable and inspired set of selections.

He had a 5p each-way Lucky 63, 5p each-way four-folds, 5p each-way five folds and a 20p each-way accumulator on all six selections...

• 2:30 Royal Ascot – Main Edition 8/1
• 3:05 Royal Ascot – Old Persian 6/1
• 3:40 Royal Ascot – Eqtidaar 12/1 due to BOG (took 11/1)
• 4:20 Royal Ascot – Alpha Centauri 3/1
• 5:00 Royal Ascot – Agrotera 11/2 due to BOG (took 5/1)
• 5:35 Royal Ascot – Dash Of Spice 4/1

Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "To find all six winners including the 12/1 Commonwealth Cup winner in various multiples was outstanding punting and he fully deserves a mammoth return off such a small stake."

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