Stoute and Harrington the big winners as Eqtidaar and Alpha light up Royal Ascot

Eqtidaar clung on for victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot yesterday.

Sir Michael Stoute’s threeyear-old had failed to win in three starts since making a successful racecourse debut at Nottingham last summer, and was sent off at 12-1 for what looked another hot renewal of this six-furlong Group One.

The field quickly split into two groups, with Eqtidaar buried in the middle of the larger contingent which raced down the middle of the track.

Jim Crowley’s mount quickened smartly to lead in the final furlong, but was being mowed down late by Richard Fahey’s Sands Of Mali, who had been in the smaller group against the stands rail.

In the end the line came in time for Eqtidaar, with the pair separated by half a length. Emblazoned finished third.

Stoute, saddling his third winner of the week, said: “We’vealwayslikedthishorse.”

Alpha Centauri ran out a hugely impressive winner of the Coronation Stakes, providing Jessica Harrington with a first Royal Ascot winner.

Previously successful in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, the Niarchos family owned runner left onlookers in no doubt who was the best three-year-old filly in the miling division. Colm O’donoghue was so confident he made his move around the outside on the 11-4 favourite and she streaked clear to win by a wide margin from Threading and Veracious.

Harrington has won the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase among other major prizes over jumps, but ranked having a Royal meeting success as “absolutely fantastic”.