Spencer lands Albany Stakes aboard Kiyoshi

Kiyoshi overcame dramatic late waywardness to impressively win the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Trained by Charlie Hills, the filly runs in the colours of Qatar Racing, who claimed the Windsor Castle Stakes earlier in the week with Extortionist.

It was a first winner at the big meeting for Hills and a first triumph of the week for Jamie Spencer, retained rider for owner Sheikh Fahad.

Kiyoshi (8-1) had put the race to bed decisively when she hit the front, but she hung right across the track.

She was, however, far enough clear that none of the chasing pack were affected.

The heavily-backed 7-4 favourite Sandiva did best of the rest in second, with Frankel’s half-sister Joyeuse in third.

Spencer said: “She’s always been a very good filly, we’ve just taken our time with her and really she wants seven furlongs or a mile.

“I’d put it (hanging across the track) down to greenness.

“She didn’t do it at Goodwood, and it was a bit surprising, but there’s not four or five people in the crowd, there’s a lot of people up there, so maybe it was something to do with that.

“It (1000 Guineas) is a long way away, I don’t like to make too many predictions.”