IF you’re going to have your first Royal Ascot winner, you might as well have the runner-up as well for good measure, and that’s how it went for Dave Loughnane in the newly added Kensington Palace Stakes.

Lola Showgirl and Ffion fought out the finish of the mile handicap for fillies and mares, with the former emerging best and giving apprentice rider Laura Pearson a dream win on or her first ever ride at Royal Ascot, in one of the most memorable races of the week.

Pearson proved tactically astute aboard the 12/1 winner making every yard of the running and fending off stablemate Ffion by three-quarters of a length. Her trainer is a Galway native but has been making significant progress in recent seasons from his Shropshire base.

“Some kids dream of being footballers, singers and superheroes – this is my dream,” Loughnane said. “To be living it is very surreal so quickly in my career. Myself and [my wife] Sarah are so grateful to our families, our owners, our staff.

“It was a case of who do you cheer for, and I think the chant became ‘come on, girls!’. I’d be lying if I said we didn’t fancy them both coming in today. I couldn’t split them.”

Pearson added: “I don’t even know what to say, it’s just quite incredible really. I had a lovely run and it all went to plan. We got into a lovely rhythm and she just kept plugging on for me.

“I knew she had half a chance today. She is very strong and I just couldn’t believe that I had a winner on my first ride at Royal Ascot.”

After the race, a lengthy stewards’ enquiry ensued after Stunning Beauty was left at the start, with Silvestre De Sousa seemingly unable to remove her blindfold as the gates opened. The Godolphin filly eventually broke out of the stalls but was pulled up soon after.

A report from the stewards said: “As De Sousa was mounted at the time the start was effected and there was no faulty action of the starting stalls, Stunning Beauty was deemed to have started.”

Out of this World

Just when the vast majority had assumed the stands’ side rail and high numbered stalls was the place to be on the straight course, then came Real World in the Royal Hunt Cup.

The Dark Angel colt was in a league of his own to give Italian apprentice Marco Ghiani a first Royal Ascot win.

It was also a 37th Royal Ascot win for Saeed Bin Suroor, who looks to be playing second fiddle to Charlie Appleby in the Godolphin ranks these days, but showed his prowess with the right ammunition.

Most eyes were drawn towards the near side group, as favourite Astro King made his challenge late on. However it soon became apparent just before the one-furlong pole that Real World was a way on top on the far side, and then near side, and he kept on for an emphatic win.

“It feels amazing. I was drawn four and everything was coming from the stands’ side,” Ghiani said.

“I walked the track; it was nearly a hand softer in the middle, but on the sides it was pretty similar, so I was hoping they would just stay on the rail and not race in the middle.”

The winning trainer reflected: “Two days ago, I said to Marco to ride the horse and that, to be famous and for the world to watch you, you have to win this race at Royal Ascot and so I am very happy for him.”

When asked whether he feels he can get his stable back to the level it was on the occasions of winning his multiple champion trainer titles, Suroor added: “If you’ve got the right horses, sure, you will get the best winners.

“Our stable has had 194 Group 1 winners worldwide. We have the best work riders, the best team, they’ve all been working very hard and the boss is supporting us all the time.

“We are looking to the future very positively.”

Chipotle too hot in Windsor Castle

Chipotle produced a rapid late burst on the far side to win the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes and provide a second Royal Ascot winner each for Charles Bishop and Eve Johnson Houghton.

The 22/1 shot was slowly away from stall one and encountered minor traffic problems but it didn’t stop him scything through the pack and he was a ready winner from the fast finishing Dig Two on the near side.

Kaboo, backed from 66/1 into a starting price of 15/2 through the day, finished sixth on his racecourse debut. Chipotle was having his fourth start and had earlier won over the course and distance.