Spanish star Stands and delivers

Spanish youngster Equiano blazed a trail to land the King's Stand Stakes and give his owner and trainer success with their first ever runner at Royal Ascot.

The three-year-old colt, second behind Marchand D'Or at Chantilly more than two weeks ago, bagged the rail early on under Olivier Peslier and never saw another rival.

Upgraded to Grade One status for the first time, the race attracted the fastest horses from all over the world, including a brace of Aussies and a South African.

It was the Spaniard, trained by Mauricio Delcher Sanchez who came up trumps.

Equiano (22-1) put his rivals to the sword with blistering early speed and gritty determination as the Australian veteran Takeover Target threw down his challenge close home.

The son of Acclamation held on to win by half a length, with 15-8 favourite Fleeting Spirit back in third and Dandy Man again undone by the draw in fourth.

The winner runs in the colours of County Tyrone farmer James Acheson, who only bought the horse two weeks ago.

Amazingly, it was Acheson's first runner of any description, never mind at the Royal meeting.

"It's absolutely unbelievable," said Acheson.

"I was advised to buy the horse a few weeks ago by my bloodstock agent and something similar happened a few years ago with a show jumper we bought - six months later he won the World Championship.

"I didn't honestly think he'd win today. I bought him more as a prospect for next year.

"He'll be going to Barry Hills after today and will be campaigned over here."

For Frenchman Peslier, it was a 12th victory at the meeting and his first since winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes on Ouija Board two years ago.

"He ran very well in France last time and today was the big ambition," he said.

"The horse has a lot of speed and he travels well.

"The trainer said he would be better to stay behind and get cover, but I said over five furlongs he'd be better in front.

"He was handy and everything went right for him."

The victory was tinged with a hint of regret for Delcher Sanchez, who will no longer be training the horse - but he did offer one riposte.

"This is my first runner in England - it's easy!" he said.

Joe Janiak, the former taxi driver turned globe-trotting trainer thanks to the exploits of Takeover Target, said his amazing nine-year-old had run a cracking trial for the Golden Jubilee.

He said: "The horse blew up a little bit so there should be improvement to come and the extra distance of the Golden Jubilee will suit him too.

"Jay (Ford) said at the two pole he had the winner, but the winner just wouldn't give up.

"He doesn't have as much speed as he used to but he still ran a superb race for an old bloke."

Jeremy Noseda said of Fleeting Spirit: "I don't think she quite performed up to her very best.

"We have had a few out of sorts over the last four or five days and I think she lacked that bit of spark.

"But she ran a good, brave race and wasn't beaten far. I still think she is a better filly than she has shown today, but time will tell."

As a result of Equiano's win, his conqueror last time Marchand D'Or was cut industry-wide for the Golden Jubilee.

He is 5-1 from 7s with Stan James, who also cut Takeover Target to 5-1 from 6s.