Manton trainer John Gosden may have unleashed a live Rothmans Royals St Leger prospect in Savoire Vivre who landed the closing City Index Maiden Stakes at Ascot today.
The imposing Sadler's Wells colt came home four lengths ahead of the Queen's Purple Heather despite swerving some way across the track in a race won by Kayf Tara in 1997.
Niggling problems in the spring delayed the debut of Savoire Vivre who Gosden had earmarked as a possible Vodafone Derby runner but the trainer was delighted as well as relieved by this performance.
'We got him ready in the spring but he developed a lung infection with the cold and wet weather,' he said.
'We then got him ready again and he had a foot abscess.
'This is a traditional old race for backward three-year-olds. It always was the race for horses who miss the spring.
'He's only a maiden winner but we'll look for a conditions race now and then see if he's up to the Rothmans Royals St Leger.'
Royal Artist landed a major gamble when successful in the feature City Index Rated Stakes.
William Haggas's charge was available at 6-1 this morning but that price soon disappeared and the Royal Academy gelding was sent off the 11-4 favourite.
Those who plunged on the four-year-old never had a moments worry as Richard Quinn brought Royal Artist with a wet sail to defeat the well-fancied Cryhavoc by three lengths with Peruvian Chief a further one length back in third.
'We had a nice draw and that's what happens when your luck's in,' joked Haggas as he waited to greet the winner.
'His last run at Leicester (over seven furlongs) was a great improvement on his previous efforts and he did it in a very good time.
'I'm not an expert on time but people who know about these things told me that he had the speed for six furlongs.'
Haggas admitted the handicapper had forced his hand in running Royal Artist today.
He said: 'He is about to go up 11lb so we had to get this into him. We will probably now aim him for a big handicap over six or seven furlongs later in the season.'
Bookmakers Victor Chandler made Regal Rose the 8-1 favourite for next year's Sagitta 1000 Guineas after the filly made an impressive debut in the opening Capel Cure Sharp Maiden Stakes.
The Danehill filly (10-11) swooped late under Johnny Murtagh to deny long-time leader Mujado by three-quarters of a length.
'This has usually been a good race,' said winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
'She has been impressing at home but she came into season a couple of days ago and raced that way too.
'She was edgy and kept changing legs but I was mad keen to run her. Once she got into gear I thought we'd win but Johnny said she did everything wrong but still managed to win.'
There was a sting in the tail for jockey Craig Williams who guided Pedro Pete to a length success over Imperial Rocket in the October Club Charity Stakes.
The stewards took exception to the Australian's use of the whip a furlong and a half out and, after viewing the evidence, decided to ban Williams for three days (August 6, 7 and 8) for using the stick with excessive frequency.
However, winning trainer Mick Channon had no complaints about the jockey describing him as 'the best thing for racing since Frankie Dettori'.
'He needs a kick up the backside sometimes but he's great to have around,' said Channon. 'He's good with the owners, the lads and is great with everyone. He could talk a glass eye to sleep!'
Red Magic looks set for a sharp step up in grade following his impressive four-length victory over Gryffindor in the EBF Maiden Stakes.
'He looks a very decent horse,' said winning trainer Richard Hannon.
'I don't think whether he runs six or seven furlongs is a problem. In fact he could even run over a bit further.
'He doesn't have too many fancy entries but the plan had been to head towards the Group One Prix Morny (at Deauville) and I think we could still go there.'
