Old allies Simon Crisford and Frankie Dettori teamed up with A'Ali to win the Norfolk Stakes, the opening race on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.
Second on his only previous outing to date at Ripon, he was a well-backed 5-1 second choice in the market and came cruising past the favourite Sunday Sovereign on entering the final furlong.
Ventura Rebel emerged from the pack to chase A'Ali, but Dettori was always holding him for a cosy win.
Crisford used to be racing manager at Godolphin, who were Dettori's employers for many years.
The winning trainer said: "He's a top-notcher. Those who analyse figures with sectional times were screaming about this horse from the rooftops after his run at Ripon. I wouldn't have run him if he didn't gallop out at Ripon. After the winning post he galloped out super strong. I knew then to go for the Group Two and not go for a novice at Wolverhampton.
🏆🏇 Frankie Dettori's 63rd #RoyalAscot winner comes on A'ali in the Norfolk Stakes!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) June 20, 2019
👏 He held off Paul Hanagan and Ventura Rebel to get Gold Cup day up and running in style! pic.twitter.com/UrVPscOBmf
"It's great because I'm surrounded by a lot of strong supporters of mine over the years like Sheikh Mohammed and his great friend, Sheikh Duaij, who owns this horse. He's from the Royal family of Bahrain. They were all cheering him in and it counts for a lot.
"The owner is steeped in racing history. His uncle used to own Weth Nan, Jellaby and Ahonoora. He's always been a huge enthusiast. This is his first runner at the Royal meeting. I know it looked like he was slowing down in the closing stages, but I think he'll get six furlongs, no problem. He's out of a Motivator mare who stayed a mile as a two-year-old. He's a good colt.
"I hadn't thought about it being a Breeders' Cup win and you're in - I think the doors are open for everything. He will be campaigned as a two-year-old. He's small, he's neat, he's quick and he's tidy."
Dettori said: "I spent many years working with Simon. We both went our separate ways, he started training and it brings back some great memories - I'm really delighted. He's been great to me through my career. Unbelievable performance by the horse. He travelled like the winner all the way. He made my life easy."
Meanwhile, Fahey said of Ventura Rebel: "He ran a blinder and we are pleased with him. There are no excuses really and they were a long way clear of the rest. He is a horse that will progress and is going the right way. He has got a good mind.
"We were always coming here. The soft option was the Windsor Castle, but we have come here and nearly won. Paul (Hanagan) was adamant that he is OK at five for the minute."
Burke said of his representative: "We are delighted with that. Ahmed (Alshaikh, owner) wanted to run in the Coventry, but that is the toughest of the races. Six furlongs is his trip, but we decided between the Norfolk and the Windsor Castle and we thought we would probably head to the Norfolk.
"It was probably quicker ground than when he won last time. Jamie Spencer gave him a great ride and it was the plan to always ride him to finish. If he had him handy early on I don't think he would have finished as well.
"We will aim him at the Gimcrack, as the owner won the race last year. We will give him a run over six furlongs before that. The July Stakes is on an undulating track and Jamie rode him at Nottingham and he didn't really handle that."
"I hope I haven't used up all my luck for Stradivarius!"@FrankieDettori is now the top jockey at #RoyalAscot 👏 pic.twitter.com/mxFMwJtJDE
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 20, 2019
