Ballydoyle's impeccably-bred Battleground obliged for favourite-backers in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Battleground is a son of War Front out of Arc winner Found and had only made his racecourse debut last week when finishing fifth at Naas.
He had plenty of supporters though and was sent off the 11-4 favourite stepping up to seven furlongs, staying on impressive style to hold off the game March Law and fast-finishing Seattle Rock.
Found's son Battleground wins the Chesham for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in fine style!#RoyalAscot @Ascot pic.twitter.com/ATCfvWTPbD
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2020
The winning trainer, now the most successful handler in the history of the Chesham with five victories, said afterwards: "He's a lovely horse, he's the first foal of Found so he's very exciting. He's a big, powerful horse.
"He could be anything - he could be a horse for the July meeting or the National Stakes. You would be hoping he could progress into a very good miler."
He added: "Found was a magic mare, one of the special ones so when her foals come along you hope they do well and he's the first one - he's an unbelievable specimen."
Molatham gave Jim Crowley a fifth winner at Royal Ascot this week when rallying to beat O'Brien's Monarch Of Egypt in the Jersey Stakes.
The pair dominated the business end of the race, with Molatham edging out the Ballydoyle runner in the dying strides.
Monarch Of Egypt was last early, but was delivered by Ryan Moore to hit the front and look the likely winner in the final furlong.
FIVE winners for @JimCrowley1978 👏
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2020
Molatham flies home to catch Monarch Of Egypt and win the Jersey Stakes 🚀
And that's a double today for trainer Roger Varian #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/TcAOhbGSia
However, he veered off a straight line, letting in Molatham (11-2) to get the verdict by half a length for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, giving trainer Roger Varian a double after Mountain Angel in the Wolferton Stakes.
Symbolize was three and a quarter lengths away in third, just edging the gallant maiden Ropey Guest.
Ballydoyle and O'Brien again had to settle for second spot, with Sir Dragonet chasing home Roger Mountain Angel in the Wolferton.
Fifth in the race to subsequent Group One hero Addeybb 12 months ago, Mountain Angel, who was riden by James Doyle, enjoyed a dream run up the inside to win in clear-cut fashion.
Prince Eiji - a stablemate of the 8-1 winner - appeared to have them all on the stretch at one stage, but Doyle waited for a gap to appear on the rail and when he did he took full advantage.
Ryan Moore came with a late charge on 15-8 favourite Sir Dragonet and was making ground hand over fist in the closing stages, but found the line coming too soon.
Mountain Angel was given quotes around the 20-1 mark for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown next month.
Highland Chief came from way off the pace to give Paul and Oliver Cole a landmark success in the Golden Gates Handicap.
The Coles were the first to register a victory with a dual licence when racing resumed - and are now the first to be jointly credited with a winner at the Royal meeting.
Carrying top-weight, Highland Chief (20-1) only had two behind him turning into the straight, but fairly took off down the centre of the track.
Pinatubo form! Highland Chief wins the Golden Gates Handicap at #RoyalAscot for @whatcomberacing... @Ascot pic.twitter.com/CNIQW8m4Np
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2020
Grand Rock, under Cieren Fallon, made a bold bid from the front, but was running on empty entering the final furlong as Tritonic took over and briefly looked the winner.
Highland Chief though, who finished third to Pinatubo in the Chesham 12 months ago, defied a drift to the left to provide Rossa Ryan with his first Royal winner, too.
Khaloosy ran out an emphatic winner of the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot to give Crowley a sixth winner of the week.
It was a fourth for trainer Roger Varian and a sixth winner for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Overwrite took the 22 runners along until Andrea Atzeni brought the strongly-fancied Finest Sound to lead - but he was immediately challenged by Khaloosy (9-2).
The 11-4 favourite was quickly brushed aside as Khaloosy swept clear to score by four and a half lengths. Cherokee Trail was another four lengths back in third, with Enemy a head away in fourth.
Jockey Hayley Turner and trainer Charlie Fellowes sprang a 33-1 surprise in the concluding Sandringham Stakes for the second year running when Onassis delivered the goods.
Thanks Be supplied the shock 12 months ago and the same combination served up another stunner in this handicap for three-year-old fillies.
Turner produced Onassis from stall one on the previously unfavoured part of the track to hit the front and land a cosy triumph by a length and a quarter from Waliyak.
Turner was only the second female rider to win at the Royal meeting when successful last year, to emulate Gay Kelleway in 1987.
