Dawn Approach heads Irish bonanza on opening day of Royal Ascot

Dawn Approach got his career back on track with victory in an incredible finish to the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot yesterday.

Jim Bolger’s 2000 Guineas hero had run deplorably when far too keen in the Investec Derby at Epsom, but was strongly-backed as the 5-4 favourite to get back on the winning trail returning to a mile just 17 days later.

Once again pulling for his head in the early stages, the three-year-old got seriously squeezed for room in the straight, in an incident which also hampered Toronado, but picked up well in the hands of Kevin Manning.

Toronado made a real race of it on his outside as the two battled all the way to the line, with Dawn Approach triumphing by just a short head.

It was a great opening day for Ireland, with four winners in all. Declaration Of War started the ball rolling in the opening Queen Anne Stakes and handed Aidan O’Brien yet another major Royal Ascot victory.

Hot favourite, former Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, pulled too hard in the early stages and was never a factor as O’Brien’s son Joseph gave a beautiful demonstration of patience to produce Declaration Of War to lead shortly before the line.

Aidan O’Brien completed a double when his apparent third string, War Command, turned in a breathtaking display under Seamie Heffernan to take top honours in the Coventry Stakes.

Sole Power, produced to perfection by Johnny Murtagh, completed a great day for Ireland when edging out South African raider Shea Shea to claim a deserved victory in a thrilling climax to the King’s Stand Stakes.

Leading National Hunt trainer Jonjo O’Neill claimed the Ascot Stakes as Well Sharp, in the hands of Fran Berry, carried the familiar silks of JP McManus to a two and a half lengths victory.