Normal Royal Ascot service was resumed as leading trainer Henry Cecil put himself on the scoreboard at this year's meeting.
The relief was obvious as the 7-4 favourite Subtle Power secured the King Edward VII Stakes.
The strapping colt, ridden by Richard Quinn, took charge coming into the home straight and was not troubled to defeat Zafonium by three and a half lengths.
'I haven't had many runners this week and Pythios was unlucky in the Hunt Cup. With Shiva missing her race today this was my best chance,' he said.
Subtle Power is owned by the Thoroughbred Corporation who won this event two years ago with Royal Anthem.
But Subtle Power is a slightly less precocious type and more of a stayer than that one.
'He's a big backward type and needs this one and a half miles,' said Cecil.
'I had to run him over one and a quarter miles last time because that was the only race I could find.'
Cecil admitted that the Irish Derby was doubtful for the colt and did not nominate a race at this stage.
The trainer is now looking forward to Beat Hollow running in Sunday's Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
The colt is dropping back to one and a quarter miles after appearing not to get home when finishing third in the Vodafone Derby.
'We're very hopeful for Beat Hollow now,' said Cecil. 'I wanted to run him in this race as I'm keen for him to win a Group One against horses of his own age group.'
Cecil is uncertain of future races for Shiva after withdrawing her from the Hardwicke Stakes because of fast ground.
'She's at the racecourse and I was keen to run her but I just couldn't risk jarring her up,' he said.
'I'll just have to sit with her now and try to find suitable ground for her.'
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