Mostahdaf stuns rivals to triumph at Royal Ascot

Mosthadaf was the fifth biggest-priced runner in the six-strong Prince of Wales's Stakes

Mostahdaf sprang a surprise at Royal Ascot to win the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The 2-1 favourite Luxembourg was four lengths back in second, with the 2021 Derby winner Adayar in third.

"It was a fantastic run. We've always held him in high regard," said winning jockey Crowley.

My Prospero finished fourth, with the well-regarded Bay Bridge only fifth.

Ryan Moore had led from the start on 2-1 favourite Luxembourg, but he was no match for Mostahdaf, who was runner-up to Broome in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot last year.

The Shadwell-owned winner had finished last in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October, but returned this year with victory in Saudi Arabia before finishing fourth to Japanese star Equinox in Dubai.

"The ground has dried out, which he really enjoyed. He's run a couple of times on soft ground and laboured on it," said John Gosden.

"He won in Saudi Arabia in great style and then he took on probably the best horse in the world, Equinox, and we freshened him up for this."

Gosden said Mostahdaf would be aimed at the Juddmonte International at York in August.

Crimson Advocate (far side) just beat Relief Rally in a photo finish in the opening race on day two

Earlier, Villanova Queen secured an emotional triumph for Irish trainer Jessica Harrington, who is recovering from breast cancer.

Colin Keane claimed his first victory at the meeting aboard the 25-1 chance in the Kensington Palace Fillies' Handicap.

Harrington was not at Ascot for the victory, but plans to attend later in the week.

"It means an awful lot to the whole team, it's been a very tough year. It'll be a good tonic for mum," said Harrington's daughter Kate.

Frankie Dettori, riding at his last Royal Ascot before retiring this year, had to settle for third on Prosperous Voyage as Rogue Millennium won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes

The 10-1 winner, ridden by Danny Tudhope for trainer Tom Clover and the Rogues Gallery syndicate, was a supplementary entry for the race and beat Random Harvest by a neck.

American challenger Crimson Advocate just held on to win the Queen Mary Stakes by the narrowest of margins.I

John Valesquez, riding for George Weaver, prevailed by a nose on the 9-1 shot from the fast-finishing Relief Rally.

Weaver was joined at Ascot by his wife and assistant trainer Cindy, who suffered a severe brain injury in a riding accident last year.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended again on Wednesday, when they have two runners - Reach For the Moon in the Royal Hunt Cup (17:00 BST) and Circle Of Fire in the Queen's Vase (17:35).