THERE is often a National Hunt feel to the Ascot Stakes but it spread to the King George V Stakes this year as Alan King and Willie Twiston-Davies, gaining their first success at the meeting, teamed up to win the mile and a half handicap with Primitivo.

Twiston-Davies decided some time ago that his future lay on the level, but King is still primarily a jumps trainer. He has done extremely well with Primitivo, who was making it four off the reel and has gone up 26lb since winning a nursery last year.

Frankly, he poked the handicapper in the eye again because this was a fairly easy victory. He was still on the bit when closing up with just over two furlongs to travel and, although he hung left when finally brought under pressure, he went away to beat Platitude by just over three lengths. He is a credit to his trainer.

“We were second in this with Salsalino in 2003 and I thought we’d come back one day but never quite believed it,” King said. “We’ve had some awfully big offers for Primitivo but we turned them down to come here.”

The winning jockey, son of National Hunt trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, was thankful to King after the race.

“Mr King is the most loyal trainer going. I ride there every Tuesday and people like him are the reason you get on in this world.

“I would never have a ride at Royal Ascot if it wasn’t for someone like him and people like Kim Bailey, loyal jump trainers - it’s just unbelievable.”

Attendance down on ladies day

THE crowd for the third day of Royal Ascot this year came to 64,503. This compares to 65,215 on the same day last year and 65,419 in 2014.

Emotional King

NATIONAL Hunt Trainer Alan King was overcome with joy after recording his first Royal Ascot winner. “It is really special. I adore Royal Ascot, I’ve been coming here for the best part of 30 years but we don’t have many runners here. At no point did I believe I would have a winner at Royal Ascot, but it means a lot,” he said.

Big team effort

AFTER reaching half a century winner at the Royal meeting, Aidan O’Brien said: “It’s great to get 50 Royal Ascot winners but I’m a small part of a very big team and everyone works very hard. I’m very happy for everyone. From the conception, to foaling, to bringing these horses along, everyone works very hard at Coolmore and Ballydoyle and I’m very grateful to them all.”

Order of St George is a class act

WINNING Gold Cup jockey Ryan Moore described his winning mount as a class act: “Order Of St George was very impressive and hopefully he can come back here in the future with a bit of luck. He is a class horse, an Irish St Leger winner over a mile and six furlongs so he has the pace to go back down in trip. We think a lot of him.”

Moore on top after day three

RYAN Moore was at the head of the leading jockey table after day three with three winners, two seconds and three thirds. Frankie Dettori was just behind him with an equal number of winners but just one second place ride and two thirds.