Gifted Master blitzed his rivals to win the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday for Hugo Palmer.

Versatile with regards to trip having won over a mile last season, he nevertheless still possesses plenty of early speed and he took up his habitual front-running role on leaving the stalls.

Pat Smullen soon had his rivals on the stretch and while Aidan O'Brien's Washington DC was sent off the even-money favourite having won on his reappearance at Dundalk, he was hard at work from some way out.

Gracious John was among those trying to close and Dream Dubai made late headway, but in truth there was only one horse in it.

Smullen pushed his mount out for a two-and-a-quarter-length win and the sky is the limit for the 3-1 winner, with options at Royal Ascot sure to figure prominently in his plans.

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