Britannia Stakes

IT would be foolish to give up on any horse trained by Aidan O’Brien, especially one thought talented enough to compete at Group 1 level.

However, at least four firms went 20/1 overnight following War Envoy’s distant last of 14 in the Prix du Jockey-Club, though he closed in to 10/1 before the Britannia Handicap.

War Envoy had run rather better when seventh in the French 2000 Guineas and was returning to a mile here with Ryan Moore on board. Not for the first time, the sheer gap in class between group-class horses and handicappers was made abundantly clear as he burst through on the far side to master Udododontu by a neck, with Ger Lyons’ Sacrificial a length away in third, followed by 33/1 shot Carry On Deryck.

This was War Envoy’s first victory since his debut success at Naas in April 2014 and no one seriously doubts that Moore made all the difference.

“I’m delighted,” O’Brien said. “We probably did all the wrong things with him, running him over a mile and a quarter and on soft ground. Obviously a mile on fast ground and taking your time with him works. I wanted to put a hood and tongue-tie on him today but Joseph said no, just the tongue-tie.

“Ryan is a marvellous jockey, probably the best I’ve ever seen. He has a great feel about a horse and a great feel about a race. We’ve been close to him for the last three years and it’s a privilege that he’s riding for us.”

O’Brien does not say things for effect and this was a huge compliment but Moore simply gets on with the job in hand and, like most complete professionals, thinks more about occasional setbacks than regular triumphs.

When asked how he thought the week was going, he said: “Well, I have to move on from the Gold Cup.”

King George V Stakes

THE bookmakers took fright and Moore’s mount Dissolution was made a totally unrealistic 9/4 chance in the closing King George V Handicap over a mile and a half.

He was never in contention as William Buick dominated proceedings on Godolphin’s 9/1 chance Space Age, who made most and came home just over a length in front of Scottish, with Marma’s Boy and King Bolete next.

This was a fine piece of jockeyship because Space Age was drawn widest of all in stall 20. Yorkidding set off in front but Space Age kept him company and soon edged across to the inside rail.

From then on it was plain sailing as the New Approach colt turned for home with a handy lead and kept up the gallop all the way to the line.

The winner was one of several stepping up in trip but stamina proved to be his strong suit. This was only his sixth outing, it followed a gritty all-the-way success at Newmarket and he can go on to even better things after giving trainer Charlie Appleby his first Royal Ascot victory.

“He did well at Newmarket last time and I thought he had a great chance,” Appleby said. “William rode a fantastic race but that’s why these jockeys are where they are.”

He was referring to Buick’s and James Doyle’s recruitment by Godolphin and things are certainly working well so far.

“It helped that we got a fairly easy lead,” Buick said. “He’s quite something and I think he’s probably a group horse. Charlie has done well with him and things like this are great for the whole team.”

Dissolution, who would have cost the layers a fortune as the final leg of a Ryan Moore four-timer, stayed in mid-division for most of the journey and came home in eighth. No one doubted that it was still very much Moore’s day, with his tally standing at eight and two days still to go.