Azamour shows well for second Royal win

Azamour got back into winning groove when landing the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot at York under a well timed ride from Michael Kinane.

The John Oxx-trained colt finished fourth in somwhat messily run Tattersalls Stakes at the Curragh on May 22, but was expected to perform better on the Knavesmire and was sent off the 11/8f.

However, he had to work pretty hard to land the spoils as Aidan O'Brien's Ace proved a tough customer to pass in the last two furlongs.

But class told in the end as the John Oxx-trained four-year-old dug deep to prevail by one and a half lengths, with Australian raider Elvstroem a creditable third.

Elvstroem led for a long way under Nash Rawiller before Ace and Kieren Fallon took up the mantle in the middle of the track.

Mick Kinane is not a man to panic, however, and he gradually stoked up Azamour, who had been held up towards the rear in the early stages, for a big effort.

The Aga Khan's colt responded willingly and was well on top at the line, but star filly Ouija Board was disappointing and never got in a serious blow.

The winning owner, the Aga Khan said afterwards: "He really put up a good performance today. Everybody is finding the ground a bit difficult - it's slippery on top.

He was having trouble with it and that is why Mick wanted to come into the centre of the course.

We were happy to have a lead to the last two furlongs and it worked out well. This is a seriously good horse.

Oxx added: "The Eclipse is probably going to come just a little too soon. I'd say that the decision will be whether to try him over a mile and a half in the King George or wait until later in the season in the Arc.

Kinane said: "I was happy that they were going a decent enough pace. He wasn't really enjoying the ground and it took him a while to warm up into it, but he won really well.

It's an unusual ground out there - it's moving around a lot. He's a lovely horse who is very sound and never misses a beat. He's a pleasure to be around.