The well-backed Aqlaam got the better of Il Warrd to win the Jersey Stakes, the curtain-raiser on day two of Royal Ascot.
13-2 shot powers to Ascot victoy
The well-backed Aqlaam got the better of Il Warrd to win the Jersey Stakes, the curtain-raiser on day two of Royal Ascot.
Richard Hills brought the William Haggas-trained colt to hit the front inside the final furlong and gamely keep Frankie Dettori's mount at bay.
The 13-2 chance won by two lengths from Il Warrd with Dream Eater a neck away in third.
Bobs Surprise and Tawaash made the running but the pack never let them get too far away and Hills began to make his move on Aqlaam three furlongs from home on the outside.
Il Warrd looked dangerous but few horses got into the race as the lightly-raced Aqlaam stamped his authority to give owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum his first winner at this year's meeting.
Haggas said: "That's fantastic, I'm absolutely thrilled to bits. We've always liked him and he's proved himself today.
Impressive
"He's come on a lot for winning his maiden and I hope he'll improve now.
"He broke his knee here last year so he couldn't run again and he's had a steady preparation.
"He's always been a nice horse and he's now won a Group Three, so let's see if he can go up from here."
Hills added: "He was very impressive when he won at Newbury and all this horse has done is improve over the last six weeks.
"His last two bits of work had been exceptional and he's a horse with a big future.
"He got me there quick and Ascot is a big place so he's just had a look around, but this is only his third run and he's still learning about the game.
"It's a big thing in a jockey's life to ride a winner here, it's very important and this is what it's all about."
Ryan Moore must have thought he was going to break his Royal Ascot duck on Heaven Sent (9/4f) in the Windsor Forest when he streaked clear two furlongs out.
The heavily-supported Sir Michael Stoute-trained mare appeared to have the race in the bag but Christophe Lemaire was still to ask for his effort on Sabana Perdida (4-1).
As Moore launched one final push, his mount drifted towards the centre of the track, giving the Alain De Royer-Dupre runner an opening she took with both hands.
At the line the winning margin was three-quarters of a length and she was going away in the end.
The winner had finished third behind Nannina in the same race 12 months ago as an unconsidered 50-1 chance, but her claims were far more obvious this time.
"She's a much better filly this year," enthused De Royer-Dupre. "She is really coming to herself and I think there could still be more to come.
"I never really thought she was beaten at any stage because I know how tough she is.
"She may stay further than a mile in time and we'll look at the Prix D'Astarte next."
