Our Jonathan takes Ascot thriller
Jamie Spencer excelled on Our Jonathan to win the Willmott Dixon Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot.
The former champion jockey somehow weaved his way through a wall of horses to land the Group Three contest at odds of 5-1.
Seemingly awkwardly drawn in stall one, Kevin Ryan's colt was patiently held in arrears from the outset.
Spencer only really kicked into overdrive inside the final furlong, during which he fairly flew home on the far rail.
Taajub, the 11-4 favourite, appeared to have the race in the bag with a similarly flashy late rattle under Richard Hills.
However, Spencer had other ideas, and mugged his nearest pursuer by a neck beneath the shadow of the post.
Iver Bridge Lad was third, another nose in arrears.
Our Jonathan was last seen finishing eighth in the Flying Childers at Doncaster, where he badly missed the break and lost many lengths at the start.
Spencer said: "All the credit goes to Kevin Ryan and his team because last time he blew it at the start.
"Fran Berry rode him in Ireland and he thought he was quite good.
"As long as he grows up and chills out a bit, there's no reason why he shouldn't make a smart sprinter next year."
Royal Rock came up trumps following a protracted duel with Triple Aspect to win the Willmott Dixon Bengough Memorial Stakes.
The George Baker-ridden 11-1 chance glided into contention inside the final two furlongs before picking up the gauntlet alongside Triple Aspect, the 11-2 favourite.
William Haggas' runner-up gave his all under Liam Jones, but was eventually ground down by the Chris Wall-trained Royal Rock, who seized the day by a head.
Brave Prospector belied odds of 28-1 to finish third.
Baker said: "He's been a nearly horse but he's now proved he's got the class to be at this level.
"I got there with a furlong to run and I'm glad it worked out well.
"Liam's horse was very game, but I always thought I had him covered.
"He's not been the easiest to prepare, but Chris Wall's team have done a wonderful job to get him ready."
Opinion Poll led home a Michael Jarvis-trained 1-2 in the ladbrokes.com Heritage Handicap.
The Frankie Dettori-ridden winner had slightly more left in the tank than stablemate Kings Destiny, who attempted to make all of the running.
Although Philip Robinson's mount made a brave fist of things from the head of affairs, the 15-2 scorer relished the easier conditions from the bottom of the weights.
Dettori outmuscled Robinson inside the final 500 yards to take the valuable handicap by three and a half lengths.
Safari Sunup and Pevensey filled the minor placings.
Roger Varian, assistant trainer to Jarvis, said: "He's been ready to run for a few weeks, but we've been frustrated because of the ground.
"He's quite a lazy horse but it was hard to gauge how fit he was.
"The November Handicap (Doncaster) would be an option for him and Kings Destiny."
