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Second royal winner for Hollie Doyle on 33-1 chance Amtiyaz in Copper Horse
Hollie Doyle enjoyed another Royal Ascot moment to remember as she guided home 33-1 shot Amtiyaz in a thrilling finish to the Copper Horse Stakes.
The 33-1 chance denied Dubious Affair, also a 33-1 shot, with 4-1 chance Global Storm in third.
It was a second win at the meeting for Doyle, who was successful last year aboard Scarlet Dragon in the Duke of Edinburgh.
Doyle said: "It’s absolutely amazing. Last year was incredible, but today to have the crowd here, it’s just great and a few of my family have come today so that’s even more special.
"I know the horse very well so I know he has ability. He just met his level on the all-weather and wasn’t really improving, so the switch to turf today on a nice big galloping track has eked out a bit more."
Amtiyaz broke well to settle in second behind the pace set by Galata Bridge, before taking up the running with a furlong left.
In a close-fought battle to the line the four-year-old held on by a head.
Doyle added: "Turning in I was trying to fill him up, and he’s got a few gears and he stays two miles so he could run away beautifully. It couldn’t have gone much better."
It was a fourth career win for Amtiyaz, who last tasted success on the all-weather at Kempton in January.
Short-priced favourite Saldier was only able to manage fifth after being outpaced on the run for home.
The closing race win bookended a successful first day for trainers John and Thady Gosden, as the father-son combination also won the Queen Anne Stakes with Palace Pier.
Juan Elcano pounces late to secure Wolferton win for Atzeni and Ryan
Juan Elcano mowed down Patrick Sarsfield to win the Wolferton Stakes for Andrea Atzeni and Kevin Ryan.
The four-year-old was recording his first win since scoring on debut at Haydock in June 2019, and was running for the first time after a wind operation. He returned at 14-1.
Joint-favourites Patrick Sarsfield and Solid Stone finished second and third as the race was dominated by those coming from off a rapid pace set by Victory Chime.
Fifth to Kameko in last year's 2,000 Guineas, the win marked a return to form for Juan Elcano after he was well beaten on his seasonal reappearance in the Doncaster Mile.
Atzeni said: "He was probably a bit tired at Doncaster, he didn't really show too much, but Kevin gave him a wind operation which seemed to be key, and I do think the fast ground was key to him as well.
"We always thought he could be a Group horse in the making so he won quite nicely there and I'm sure if he gets nice fast ground in the summer he can show us how good he is."
The winner holds an entry in next month's John Smiths Cup at York, but is surely likely to return to Group company on his next start.
Of the beaten horses, the eye was drawn to Blue Cup, who stayed on smartly from the rear up the inside rail under William Buick to take fourth.
Reshoun causes 66-1 surprise for Ian Williams and William Buick
Reshoun landed a surprise 66-1 win in the Ascot Stakes for Ian Williams and William Buick, getting the better of a thrilling battle with M C Muldoon.
The seven-year-old held on by a short-head to pick up his first win in nearly a year.
Reshoun was stepping up to 2m4f for the first time, tracking the early pace set by Rochester House before coming through to lead.
The Willie Mullins-trained M C Muldoon produced a strong finish, but was unable to get a clear run at a crucial stage.
Williams said: "I said to William the important thing is to get him out today, he’s been very slack at the start, but the boys at home have been working with him and I couldn’t actually believe he was out as sharp and in-front in the first furlong as he was.
"It was a good place to have him but it was whether or not he stayed, and when he got taken off his feet going in I actually thought he wasn’t staying, so I turned my attention to Mancini, and when I looked back to him I couldn’t believe he was actually plugging away, and he stayed very strongly to the line."
It was a second victory Williams in the race, having also landed the prize in 2019 with The Grand Visir.
On the close finish, he added: "I was celebrating winning but wasn’t sure if I had, so it was good. It was great to have people here today to enjoy it with and it’s a fantastic result.
"This horse has done the owner proud and he’s done me very proud. It’s tough to win any race here, but he’s a nice horse to train and it’s a nice race to win."
Victory came at a cost for Buick, as he was handed an 11-day ban for misuse of the whip and fined £1,150.
Read more from day one of Royal Ascot 2021
Palace Pier gets Frankie Dettori off to a flyer with Queen Anne success
Late plunge pays off as Cieren Fallon and Oxted lower colours of Battaash
'Special' Berkshire Shadow lands long-running gamble for ecstatic connections
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