• Royal Ascot, Day Four

Impressive Sky Lantern lands Coronation Stakes

Richard Hughes barely had to move on Sky Lantern when cruising to victory in the Coronation Stakes © PA Photos

Enlarge

Sky Latern gave a commanding performance to emphasise his recent 1000 Guineas victory, storming clear to land the Coronation Stakes for trainer Richard Hannon.

Jockey Richard Hughes moved his mount perfectly in position on the home stretch, before letting go of the reins and stretching to a three-and-a-half length lead up to the post.

Hughes was content in keeping Sky Lantern towards the rear after breaking from the unfavoured stall 16, staying close to the rails before slowly picking off the field to get in sight of the frontrunners.

Sky Lantern showed an incredible turn of place to romp clear in the final furlong, finishing ahead of 33/1 outsider Kenhope in second and 1000 Guineas runner-up Just the Judge in third. Hannon's other charge Maureen, ridden by Frankie Dettori, stayed on to claim fourth.

Favourite Big Break appeared to have a good start from stall one, but did not find anything to challenge in the final furlong, finishing well behind in seventh.

Sky Lantern trainer Richard Hannon Jr told BBC Radio 5Live SportsExtra: "She was fantastic and put the Guineas story to bed that she was lucky that day. We ran the Just The Judge down from seven and a half lengths away that day so it is tough to say she was lucky.

"She is a pleasure to deal with - she doesn't need any special treatment - and is so tough. You press the button and she goes really quick. I wouldn't put it past her to have a go at a mile and a half. [Jockey Richard] Hughesy always thought she had that in her. Perhaps an Arc. Now is the time to have a go at those things."

Carrying the Qatar Racing colours, Kiyoshi upstaged well-backed favourite Sandiva when recovering soundly from a late drift to land the Albany Stakes for Charlie Hills.

The 8/1 shot was slow out of the gates, giving jockey Jamie Spencer plenty of work to do from the rear of the field. However, Kiyoshi soon quickened and pulled clear in the final furlong.

Despite veering badly in the final stretch, the two-year-old filly impressively pulled clear and finished three and a half lengths in front of the Richard Fahey-trained Sandiva, who went off at 7/4.

Frankie Dettori and Sandiva edged second by a neck to Frankel's half-sister Joyeuse, trained by Lady Cecil, in third.

Day three looked to be going in the bookies' favour when another heavily-backed favourite was pipped to the post in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien's Battle of Marengo, which went off under son Joseph at odds-on, could only finish second to the impressive 15/2 Hillstar, ridden by Gold Cup winner Ryan Moore.

O'Brien Jr made his move on Battle of Marengo coming around the turn two furlongs out, establishing a two-length advantage over the chasing field.

However, Moore timed his ride to perfection on Hillstar and passed clear of the tiring Battle of Marengo 50 yards out to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute first place.

Second favourite Mutashaded finished third, three lengths back of the leader.

Forgotten Voice gave Nicky Henderson a surprise winner in the one of the flat season's leading races, the Wolferton Handicap.

Nearly three years since Forgotten Voice had last featured on the flat, the runner returned from the jumps to upstage its rivals and send Johnny Murtagh top of the jockey's standings for the meet, finishing half-a-length clear of Sheikhzayedroad and Bana Wu.

Henderson said: "He was a good horse on the flat but had leg problems and then we had him jumping. He is a lovely big horse and loves this ground and I came up with the weird idea of running in this race."

Leading Light came through a well fancied 5/4 winner for the O'Brien and Ballydoyle team in the Queen's Vase In Memory Of Sir Henry Cecil , holding off a late surge from Feel Like Dancing. 66/1 outsider Boite finished strongly in third.

Lady Cecil's entry Disclaimer, backed into second favourite, could not provide a fairytale ride under Tom Queally and was ridden on early on the home straight, eventually finishing 12th.

Lightning Cloud landed the Buckingham Palace Stakes for Kevin Ryan, with second favourite Dream Tune taking second by a nose from Shamaal Nibras. Santefisio completed a tight top four.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.