WINDSOR CASTLE STAKES (LISTED)

JOHN Gosden may have been celebrating his 40th Royal Ascot winner but weigh-room stalwart Rob Havlin was drinking to his first at the age of 42 when 20/1 chance Ardad came home over three lengths clear of 100/1 shot Savannah’s Dream in the closing Listed Windsor Castle Stakes.

This was an excellent result for bookmakers to round off the first day. The money came for Irish challenger Mister Trader, very short at 11/4 favourite on the strength of his second to Coventry Stakes winner Caravaggio, but he failed to make any impression and trailed in nearly last.

This is not the strongest Royal Ascot juvenile race, but Ardad was still a surprise winner despite hailing from a powerful yard. Gosden had introduced the son of Kodiac at Yarmouth only six days previously, but he clearly learned plenty from his victory there and picked up well to lead just over a furlong from home before pulling clear. Aidan O’Brien’s Pedestal finished a fair third, followed by Full Intention.

FINE HORSEMAN

Havlin is a fine horseman who is entrusted with important rides by his all-conquering trainer - indeed, he rode Cunco when that colt became Frankel’s first winner at Newbury a few weeks ago. Belated success on the royal stage is unlikely to go to his head.

“It’s great when you’ve got a stable jockey like Frankie Dettori and he thinks he can get a better ride in a race (Wesley Ward’s Big City Dreamin, 16th). Anyway, I have to get into work 15 minutes early each day to tack his up before I do anything else! When I came upsides him I began to worry I’d gone too soon, but mine was by far the best and, being by Kodiac, there was a good chance he’d handle the ground. John Gosden wouldn’t run one without a chance.”