Henry de Bromhead claims first Royal Ascot success with Ascending

Ascending won the Ascot Stakes for Henry de Bromhead and Chris Jones. Pic: Healy Racing Photo.

Henry de Bromhead claimed his first Royal Ascot success on Tuesday as Ascending ran out a surprise winner of the Ascot Stakes.

The 20-1 shot knuckled down under Billy Lee in the concluding stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest to beat Nurburgring, with the latter's trainer Joseph O'Brien also saddling the third and fourth home in Comfort Zone and Leinster.

An elated De Bromhead explained the Ascot Stakes was not even his first choice.

"I'm delighted. I wanted to go for the mile and six (Copper Horse Stakes), I thought he had a great chance but he didn't get in so we ran in this one and now we've won - happy days," said De Bromhead.

"He's just a star. He was bought to go hurdling and he ran very well over hurdles but he never really loved it, so we said we'd go back on the Flat.

"I think we'll stay on the Flat, he seems to love it so I think we should.

"Billy opted to go out and get a bit of light, the horse travelled beautifully and he gave him a super ride. He knew he had a kick so he used the kick a bit earlier than he had planned.

"It's amazing to win any of these races, we're fortunate enough to train good horses. We're very lucky."

Winning jockey Lee said: "He jumped a fraction steady and I was a bit further back than I wanted to be but we got a good trip throughout, and then we took off. I thought he’d stay and go close and he had that kick at the two-furlong pole.

“I was confident that he’d get the trip but I probably lit him up a bit soon but then I probably nicked a few lengths.

“Henry had him spot on for today. It’s just great to be here and to get a winner is extra special."