King's Stand Stakes Result 2018: Blue Point wears down Battaash

Never far from the strong pace set by Battaash, the William Buick-ridden and Charlie Appleby-trained Blue Point was the only horse to give real chase to Battaash in the final furlong and a half, eventually getting to the lead late on and powering away to win by a length and three quarters.

The front-running Battaash (9/4) was involved in a photo for second with Mabs Cross (20/1), who stayed on well late on but had to settle for third spot after the judge's deliberation.

Defending champion and 2/1-favourite Lady Aurelia was well beaten.

Blue Point streaks past Battaash to win the King's Stand Stakes at @Ascot

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Appleby, registering his fifth success at the Royal Meeting, said: "Full credit has to go to the team at home who have done a fantastic job with Blue Point and getting him back to where he is. I couldn't have been happier with his preparation in the last two weeks and I felt he was back at a level where he could compete after he did a great piece of work the other week.

"To have a Derby winner and then have a winner at Royal Ascot is great and coming into today, I don't think I could have had Blue Point in any better nick. Sheikh Mohammed is a great man and coming into today, there was no pressure on us following Epsom as he just wanted to enjoy the week.

"I think the stiff five furlongs and strong pace has suited him here. I have always thought a lot of this horse and he ran really well in the Commonwealth Cup last year. For whatever reason, he brings his A game here. I was delighted with him at the start of the year in Dubai and whilst things didn't materialise on Dubai World Cup night, we went on to learn a lot in Hong Kong and taught us a few matters. The horse had a torrid time on his way back from Hong Kong, but we gave him a nice break after that and I'm delighted with him."

Winning rider Buick added: ""This means a lot to Charlie, Sheikh Mohammed and the whole team at home at Moulton Paddocks.

"Everyone stuck their neck out about Blue Point as a two-year-old. Things have not gone his way in a lot of races, whereas today everything fell right and to make him a Group One winner is very satisfying. I am pleased for the horse most of all because he deserves it more than anyone. Last time out [at Sha Tin] we got it wrong and it was a race we had to put a line through - there was no point judging him on that and he's been in great form since.

"He is a very quick horse, and I was always very comfortable where I was and I knew he would see the race out better than Battaash. I knew my horse would see the race out as well as any because he's proven at six furlongs. It was just a case of whether I would be close enough where it mattered.

Battaash’s trainer Charlie Hills said: "He ran a great race - a really good race, and it looked like we had it won. We didn't really want to be making the running but he broke so well that we had no choice. The winner's a very good horse.

"If we'd won we might have given six furlongs a go in the July Cup, but I think we'll stick to five now. There's a race in Ireland on Champions' Weekend that might be an option. We'll have a look."

Third by a neck, was Mabs Cross, trained by Michael Dods and ridden by Paul Mulrennan.

Dods said: "Maybe we've dropped a clanger because we haven't got her in the July Cup; we might have to think about that. But obviously the Nunthorpe will the next target unless we decide to get into the July Cup at a later stage.

"I do think she is still improving - they opened up to the fourth horse. It was a big step up but every time we have asked her to step up, she has answered. I'm delighted with her."

 John Velazquez, rider of Lady Aurelia, reported: "We broke really well but when I asked her quicken she stayed really flat today. She didn't have the kick that she normally does.

"She seemed to handle the ground well - she just didn't fire."