Profitable continued his flying start to the season with a thrilling success in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Clive Cox's four-year-old, another sprint success for the Irish National Stud's top sire, Invincible Spirit, lined up for the five-furlong Group 1 in tremendous form having won his first two starts of the campaign, in the Palace House at Newmarket and the Temple Stakes at Haydock.

Adam Kirby had the 4/1 shot buried in the middle of the pack early on, but he hit the front a furlong out and knuckled down to get the better of a protracted duel with Cotai Glory by a neck. Goken finished strongly to grab third.

Hot favourite Mecca's Angel raced up with the pace before weakening rapidly and was bitterly disappointing.

A tearful Kirby revealed his girlfriend had given birth to a baby boy just hours before.

He said: "I think he's the best five-furlong horse I've ever ridden.

"His cruising speed is phenomenal. I'm delighted for everyone involved, but, more importantly, I'm delighted for Clive. My girlfriend gave birth to a baby boy a few hours ago, so it's all good."

Cox said: "He's special, and you need a special horse to come here and do it.

"He's pretty good. Every time it kept raining I was more concerned, but he travelled just so strongly. He's dug in and I'm really pleased.

"I'm delighted for Adam as he's a proud father. With the new baby it's a very emotional moment for him - to ride a Group One winner, I don't think you can get a better day."

He added: "We didn't enter him for the July Cup (Newmarket), because I think he is better over five (furlongs).

"But the way he's toughed it out on soft ground, that reasoning is doubtful now. He is very fast, though."