Dream Of Dreams finally won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes after two previous near-misses in the final day feature of Royal Ascot.
Sir Michael Stoute – who has trained more winners at the meeting than anyone else – was recording his 82nd success at the fixture and having been beaten in two photo-finishes in the past two runnings, he will be delighted to have won with the chestnut.
Blue Point edged him out in 2019, while 12 months ago it was Hello Youmzain, and he was sent off the 3-1 favourite to make amends.
Tim Easterby’s Art Power – a winner 12 months ago in handicap company – set out to make it a real test and by halfway had most of his rivals in trouble.
They included Glen Shiel – successful on Champions Day last season for Hollie Doyle – but to his credit, he battled all the way to the line.
As Art Power’s stride began to shorten Ryan Moore sensed the time was right to attack on Dream Of Dreams, and despite having two lengths to make up when he started his challenge with a furlong to run he was almost on terms.
Glen Shiel did not go down with a fight, and Art Power stuck on gamely, but with Moore in full cry and a willing partner there was only going to be one outcome as the seven-year-old prevailed by a length, with three-quarters back to the third.
For Glen Shiel’s trainer Archie Watson it was a second agonising reverse of the week having had Dragon Symbol lose the Commonwealth Cup in the stewards’ room on Friday.
Stoute said: “I am delighted - the horse deserves it. The past two years, he has been beaten a head finishing fastest of all, so I am really thrilled for him.
“He has got more and more relaxed; he doesn’t go to post like a sprinter, does he? I thought he was going to pull up halfway down. He is more relaxed, and a little better. He’s fully developed and strong now. But it’s his mind - he’s really, really chilling.
“He loves a little cut in the ground, but I don’t think he’s run on ground quite as soft as this, so I was a little concerned. Ryan [Moore] had it all planned and it all worked out, and told me what he was doing, so I said, kick on.
“Any winner here is a great thrill, particularly a Group One. But additionally, this fellow has just been touched off twice, so I'm pleased for him - he deserves it.
“I thought I wasn’t going to have a Royal Ascot winner this year - this is the last runner we’ve got. It's been tough - it’s always been tough, but it’s tougher."
Moore said: “Sir Michael has been great to me throughout my whole career. He has got this horse, who is seven now, to perform here three times in a row and it's great that he's able to win today.
“Dream Of Dreams has been a great horse. He has got better every year. A stiff six [furlongs] with cut in the ground, it’s perfect for him.
“Any winner here is important and the bigger the race... a race like this, a prestigious race like this…it’s great.”
Archie Watson said of the runner-up: “I am delighted with Glen Shiel. He tries so hard. Hollie said that Ryan came to her late and whilst Glen Shiel kept on battling, she just wished they had come to him earlier as he just keeps on finding.
“He has backed up his Group One win with another solid run in a Group One and we'll just keep on rolling through these races during the summer.
“It's very simple with these sprinters. We'll go to the July Cup next and then he'll probably have a crack at the Prix Maurice De Gheest – I think the six and a half furlongs will really suit him there. Then you have the Sprint Cup and then back here in October for the Champions Sprint. I might throw something else in along the way. But that will be the gist of it.”
Hollie Doyle said: “It was an unreal run. It's a bit disappointing not to win, but we know that Glen Shiel is back to his best so early on in the year whereas he didn't hit top form till the end of last year. We have plenty to look forward to."
Art Power’s trainer Tim Easterby said: “He has run an absolute blinder. He ran to the line and just got a little tired in the last half-furlong. The other horses were just a bit stronger, and he was out on his own for a long time. He ran a great race and will come on again. The King George at Goodwood is a possible now."
