The 20/1 winner was a third victory for Prescott at the Royal Meeting and his first since Pivotal in the 1996 King Charles III Stakes.

Racing in a clear second for much of the two-and-a-half mile heritage handicap, Pledgeofallegiance led as they turned into the straight and repelled the persistent challenge of eventual second Divine Comedy under apprentice Kaiya Fraser.

Divine Comedy, who was beaten half a length, was the second runner-up of the day for trainer Harry Eustace, who saddled Docklands to fill the same position in the Queen Anne Stakes. Kyle Of Lochalsh finished third, a further two and a half lengths behind, with Get Shirty fourth.

Prescott said: “Pledgeofallegiance is a very nice horse, very sensible. The only thing he’s ever done wrong in his life is cost all that money [450,000gns] as a yearling. Then the expectation is so high on him. If he couldn’t win the Derby, the next best thing was to win at Royal Ascot for them, so I’m very grateful he has. He is a big, lovely, staying horse, very genuine. He’s a thoroughly nice, straightforward horse. Trainers don’t have enough of them!

“The tactics were right, and that’s what mattered. The Irish horse [Boher Road] – he’s such a quick starter - looked certain to carry you into the straight. It was one of those races. I can’t remember one going so well since Alborada got the pacemaker [in the Champion Stakes] and High-Rise didn’t! Everything went just to plan.

Thoughtful process

“I like feeling we have been part of the thought process; it’s not just because it’s a good horse, but you can feel you’ve had a little bit of input. It was the obvious race for him, and the owners have been very good – if that’s what you want to do, do it. I have been very lucky.

“Pivotal was a long time ago – too long. It’s great. I think when those plans go right, you’re churlish if you don’t enjoy it.”

Morris said: “Pledgeofallegiance is incredibly brave and incredibly tough. He's been a real work in progress, but he's gradually got a bit better each run and it's thanks to the faith of connections that he's eventually come good because he started off life at a pretty lowly level.

“It has been eight years since I last had a winner here, and to ride a winner here for Sir Mark means a huge amount. We’ve only got a few bullets to fire during the week, so to get one of them to land is fabulous. It’s the best week of racing in the world, so to come here with a few live chances is fantastic, and for one of them to land is even better.”

Second best

Harry Eustace said of Divine Comedy: “I got very excited turning in, just second best unfortunately. That’s handicaps, as well. I suppose if we could have asked for the ideal situation, it would probably have been to have a bit of juice in the ground, but then that brings the jumping boys into play – it’s swings and roundabouts. She has just been remarkable.

"She started from 67 and has just finished second in the Ascot Stakes carrying plenty of weight. She’s cool! She’s quite a big girl and it has just been a case of time and confidence, really. She’s just really started putting together how to be a racehorse and learning about the whole thing. She’s just an absolute pro now and really enjoys it.

"Every question we’ve asked this year in particular, she’s been there for us. She’s been a lot of fun for the guys. Ted Durcan bought her and she didn’t cost much at all from the horses in training sale. She is what everyone does it for. They’ve bought her to have a bit of fun and ended up here – and nearly got the chocolates!”

Kyle Of Lochalsh’s rider Billy Loughnane said: “I was pleased with my position. I followed the second throughout, it was a question mark stepping up in trip, so I tried to hang onto him for as long as I could, but he hit the line very well. He has a bright future and he is still off a workable mark. I’ve suggested they could go for the Northumberland Plate, but I’m not sure where he will go.”