Sun shines for O'Brien and Murtagh

Haradasun justified the adventurous decision to move him from Australia to the care of Aidan O'Brien by getting his new stable off to the best possible start at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes.

His part-owner Frank Tagg tried a similar ploy with Haradasun's half-brother Elvstroem three years ago and was rewarded with third spot in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

For a fair spell of this mile Group One, a similar placing looked to be the best he could have aspired to.

The five-year-old's form was something of a mixture and while Johnny Murtagh was given a handy tow by the pacemaking Honoured Guest, he was one of the first under pressure as Darjina and well-backed 9-2 favourite Finsceal Beo moved into contention.

Into the final furlong and Darjina was right alongside but Haradasun (5-1), only sixth on his British debut in the Lockinge Stakes, stuck his head out determinedly to shade the photo-finish by a head.

Tagg, a giant Sydneysider, said: "Our mare Circles Of Gold has now produced two great horses in Elvstroem and this one, so she has given everything to us.

"Coolmore obviously rated him - he won two Group Ones in Australia and they bought a 50% stake.

"We took him here to establish him as a dual hemisphere stallion and it was a goal to win this race. It's up to Aidan from here but he won't run in the southern hemisphere again."

O'Brien added: "We got him in October or November last year and he needed time to settle in.

"There was not much early pace in the Lockinge but we were very happy with him in the race.

"He was very naturally fast from day one and you can see why everyone was excited about him in Australia.

"He looked like a horse who would get a mile and a quarter today - even though we had him in the sprints here this week too - he's very versatile."

Alain de Royer-Dupre for Darjina and Jim Bolger for Finsceal Beo had no real excuses and both nominated the Falmouth Stakes as possible next steps, while the latter also has the Pretty Polly as an option.

Cesare was the most notable victim in a messy encounter, finishing powerfully into fourth.

There was a sting in the tail for Murtagh, however, as he was handed a three-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency and down the shoulder in the forehand position.

Kevin Manning, rider of Finsceal Beo, picked up a similar ban for careless riding on the third.