RICHARD Hannon’s juvenile filly Illuminate, so impressive in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, made it three out of three in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, the former Cherry Hinton, but was all out to hold Besharah by a nose, with Blue Bayou only a short-head behind and Rah Rah inches away in fourth.

In a pulsating encounter, Rah Rah led but Richard Hughes seemed to have matters well under control when easing into the lead on Illuminate a furlong out. However, her stride shortened close home and it was a desperately close-run thing.