ASCOT WEDNESDAY

LUCA Cumani’s Mizzou, successful on his reappearance in the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes 12 months ago, repeated the dose at Ascot on Wednesday. The Galileo five-year-old dropped just off the pace as Flying Officer made the running but came with a strong challenge at the furlong pole. Keeping on well for Andrea Atzeni, he hit the front but was all out to hold gallant veteran Clever Cookie by a neck with Flying Officer only half a length away in third.”Mizzou showed his battling ability,” Cumani said. “We still have to find another 5lb between now and the Gold Cup because the third was giving us that much weight. We’ll definitely be back here for it.”

CLEAR-CUT WINNER

Gifted Master was a clear-cut winner of the Group 3 Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes over six furlongs. Sent off at 6/1 as money came for Aidan O’Brien’s even-money favourite Washington DC, Gifted Master went sharply right at the start and bumped outsider Priceless but was soon in front for Pat Smullen. He kept up the gallop and beat Dream Dubai by just over two lengths with Gracious John in third.

Gosden took the Listed Stratford Place Stud Paradise Stakes over a mile with GM Hopkins in the hands of Ryan Moore. The class act in the race looked to be Arod, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s five-year-old was a solid favourite at 13/8 but found it rather hard work inside the final furlong after making the running up the straight. He was caught and beaten by GM Hopkins (5/2) with Moore merely pushing out with hands and heels to hold Battle Of Marathon, who split the pair. Arod may come on a little for the outing but whether he can score at the highest level looks doubtful.

Jose Valdivia Jr had the great satisfaction of winning the Sodexo Conditions Stakes on Wesley Ward’s youngster Create A Dream.

Create A Dream (6/1), an Oasis Dream filly, took time to get over the journey from the US and was taking on colts here but she made all the running and held The Last Lion by a neck. The Queen Mary is the obvious target for her, with Paddy Power quoting her at 6/1.