Claymore stuns the Queen and Dettori by downing odds-on shot Reach For The Moon

Thursday: Hampton Court Stakes, Royal Ascot

Claymore and Adam Kirby denied the Queen her 25th Royal Ascot success when upsetting the odds and holding off the short-priced favourite Reach For The Moon to land the Hampton Court Stakes.

The market suggested the race was at the mercy of one of last year's most exciting juveniles, who was sent off at 2-5 to give the Queen a winner during her Platinum Jubilee year, and it looked as though he would succeed when he loomed into contention behind Claymore.

However, the winner proved a tough nut to crack and kept on well under a well-judged ride by Kirby to win by two lengths and bounce back after finishing last in the French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp.

"We were quite happy to do our own thing in front," said the winning jockey. "We know he goes well from the front and everything went smoothly. I was in a great rhythm and he hit the line powerfully. He's definitely going in the right direction. It's a shame for the Queen but Claymore has always been a proper horse.

Claymore: 'he's always been a proper horse'Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"It was important that things went right for him as it was awful last time at Longchamp. It was like Murder, She Wrote – it was an absolute disaster. The only positive to come out of it was it made a man out of him, because his attitude was brilliant today. He's bounced back with a first-class run."

Jane Chapple-Hyam secured her second victory of the week and third at the meeting after the success of Saffron Beach, who justified joint-favouritism when landing the Duke of Cambridge Stakes on Wednesday.

"He's in his comfort zone when he's up there bowling along," said the trainer. "He's got a huge stride and unfortunately he was drawn 16 of 16 in France – he was out in the woods. Stepping up in trip has helped him.

"It's been a great week and it's lovely his owner Mary Slack has come over from South Africa. Hopefully he'll stand at one of her farms one day. There's no plan for him yet – wherever Mary wants to go, we'll send him."

It was a first Royal Ascot winner for Slack, who added: "I'm delighted. We thought he'd run well in France but he was hopeless. Now this is a return. I hardly watched really – I couldn't be more excited. Special thanks to Jane as she's been brilliant. I haven't been to these heights before."

Defeat capped a difficult day for Dettori. He was agonisingly beaten earlier in the day aboard Stradivarius in the Gold Cup and Saga in the Britannia, and he could not pass Claymore despite the urgings of the crowd.

"I wasn't happy with three furlongs to go," the rider said. "I had to get serious two out and we got our head in front but he didn't finish his race in the final furlong. There could be numerous reasons why. I can't go back and try again but there's always tomorrow."

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