Aidan O’Brien completed a one-two in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot as Illinois fended off stablemate Highbury in a battling finish.
The 7/4 favourite was also providing Ryan Moore with his 80th Royal Ascot winner and he is now just one behind Frankie Dettori, who holds the record for current jockeys (81) and is second on the all-time list behind Lester Piggott’s 116 landmark.
Illinois disputed the lead with Mr Hampstead for much of the 1m 6f Group Two contest before going for home early in the straight.
Highbury, ridden by Wayne Lordan, mounted a strong late challenge but Illinois held on to score by a length and a quarter despite drifting left in the closing stages.
Birdman claimed third place, three-quarters of a length further back, ahead of Meydaan.
More to follow…
