Banner stars for Ballydoyle

Aidan O'Brien's Australian recruit Starspangledbanner led his rivals a merry dance in the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Choisir colt was sent off the 13-2 joint-favourite for the six-furlong heat having finished fifth in the Duke Of York Stakes on his Ballydoyle debut and was soon leading the stands side group in the hands of Johnny Murtagh.

He began to assert his authority in the final furlong and came home a length and three-quarters ahead of Society Rock, with American raider Kinsale King third.

Murtagh said: "Aidan was very confident coming into this race. He told me just to jump him out and let him use that stride.

"Everything just worked perfect. He jumped well, travelled really well, a good strong gallop all the way. I sensed them coming to him at the two and when I let him go, he ran straight up the rail.

"He responded very well and went all the way to the line. I couldn't pull him up. He's a great horse. He's very similar to his sire Choisir, big and strong."

O'Brien added: "Before York he was only half-speeding, but he was only just ready to start and got tired.

"His work since York has been incredible. His second-last furlong was just under nine and a half seconds. We've never had a horse go that quick before. He's the fastest we've had, no doubt.

"We will look forward to the July Cup, hopefully. He's an incredible sprinter."

The runner-up's trainer James Fanshawe said: "We are chuffed with that. He has a great turn of foot. He is entered in the July Cup and as Newmarket is local to the owner, he would love to go there."