'We needed to see him back at his best and I think we did' - Coltrane tees up Gold Cup bid with second Sagaro win

The result may have been the same but there was an air of surprise to this year's Sagaro Stakes after Coltrane bounced back to form for a second consecutive success in the Group 3. 

The seven-year-old was a ready winner of the race last year, but he struggled in the latter half of his campaign, including when well beaten in the Long Distance Cup at the course in October. 

His return to action in the Dubai Gold Cup did little to inspire confidence that his overall enthusiasm had returned, yet Andrew Balding's decision to apply first-time cheekpieces seemed to work its magic as he claimed a narrow victory on his return to Ascot for owners Mick and Janice Mariscotti. 

"I was surprised by how well he travelled with the cheekpieces on," said winning jockey Oisin Murphy. "He tanked through the race, if anything he was a little bit keen, but I was delighted with the way he finished out the race. He was tough in the straight and clearly back to form.

"He's probably the same sort of horse as when he won this last year, but we needed to see him back at his best today and I think we did."

While the winning margin 12 months ago was almost five lengths, success this time was hard-earned after a late charge by outsider Caius Chorister threatened to upset proceedings. However Coltrane, who had already seen off third-placed Sweet William, held on by a head and was consequently cut to 14-1 (from 20-1) by Paddy Power for next month's Gold Cup. 

Coltrane (left) fends off Caius Chorister (right) and Sweet WilliamCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I think there was a concern whether the fire was still there, but I think it certainly was," said Balding. 

"He was in front longer than Oisin probably wanted to be, but he was really brave there at the end. He's a fighter and a star really. We train horses so we can come across one like him and he keeps producing. He loves Ascot and has run one bad race here and that's it, so we'll look forward to coming back here in June." 

Caius Chorister may have failed to strike on her first start at the course for David Menuisier, but there was nothing but joy from owner-breeder Clive Washbourn, who is already looking ahead to Royal Ascot. 

"We've got to have a crack at the Gold Cup, that was amazing," he said. "Everyone says little fillies can't beat geldings, but I bred this horse – do you know how proud of her I am? It's nothing to do with the money, we love her. I'm just blown away." 

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