Dream day for O'Brien as Excellent Art wins

Excellent Art (8-1) atoned for an unlucky run in the French 2000 Guineas to lead home an Aidan O'Brien one-two-three in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today.

Jamie Spencer picked up a ban after riding the colt to finish fourth at Longchamp and the former champion jockey again took the brave man's route up the inside rail.

He collared the pace-setting Duke Of Marmalade and Mick Kinane inside the final furlong, with Astronomer Royal, winner of the French Guineas, grabbing third.

However, the story of the race surrounded the dual Guineas winner Cockney Rebel, who, despite pulling very hard through the early stages for Olivier Peslier, still came with a run to win the race.

But just as he pulled level with the leaders, he began to hang violently left across the track.

It did not bother the O'Brien trio though as Excellent Art, unusually bought of the Neville Callaghan yard in the winter by the Coolmore operation, won by a neck.