Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore struck gold as Sioux Nation ran out a game winner of the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

Sent off a 14/1 chance, Sioux Nation was one of a small group to race on the far side as the majority of the field, headed by American raider McErin, opted to come up the stands side.

A furlong out, there were a handful of horses still in contention but Sioux Nation had just poked his head in front and dug sufficiently deep as the Declan Carroll-trained Santry was flying in the final strides.

Despite being separated by the width of the track, Sioux Nation just held on, with Cardsharp following home 13/2 joint-favourite Santry in third.

It was a third winner of the meeting for jockey Ryan Moore and a second for Aidan O'Brien.

O'Brien said: "Scat Daddy [sire of Sioux Nation] is an incredible stallion - the pace that they have make them very different. It's pure, raw speed and this horse has that as well.

"He's a massive horse, a big, powerful horse and to be doing this at this time of his career is incredible, really.

"Ryan looked very comfortable and was travelling very well. I think he was trying to stall getting there but he gave the horse a marvellous ride. He paced it brilliantly - he only had three horses to follow and slowly manoeuvred him into cover. To get cover like he did with only three horses was brilliant. He's a horse everyone at home loved from the first time he worked, and I'm delighted really."

45 FOR MOORE

Ryan Moore registered his third victory of the week and 45th winner at the Royal Meeting and was quick to play down the track bias many had assumed was prevalent from racing here yesterday.

"There is nothing wrong with the track and it was just that the pace has been down the stands' side rail so far.

"It was just that over the first couple of days, the pace was towards the stands' side and that was the difference.

"I would have been better off on the other side as there were more horses and I would have got more of a lead, but the track is not a problem.

Luckily, we had speed where we were and we were kind of always ahead. I wouldn't read too much into the track or the draw - this is a very good colt. When you see how big he is, he needed his first run and then the ground has gone against him."

Moore, who was also providing the master of Ballydoyle with his 57th winner at the Royal Meeting and second winner of the week, pointed to the ground as a pivotal factor for his colt.

"This horse needs good, fast ground. He has got back on that ground today and always travelled like the winner. He was a bit lonely on his own but he is a very good colt."

REVIEW ALL THIS WEEK'S ROYAL ASCOT RACING IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND