Giant's Causeway put the disappointment of two Guineas defeats behind him when striding to victory in a thrilling St James' Palace Stakes which lit up the opening day of Royal Ascot yesterday.
In a breathtaking finish to the first Group One event of the meeting, Aidan O'Brien's charge defied the strong late challenge of Valentino to land the £156,600 sterling first prize by a head with Medicean a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
In a change of tactics winning jockey Michael Kinane chose to attempt to force the pace on the 7 to 2 favourite and the ploy was working to perfection until Valentino loomed up alongside.
In fact, Gerald Mosse forced the eventual runner-up to the front but the partnership failed to repel the renewed charge of Giant's Causeway in the shadow of the post.
Having seen their charge finish second to King's Best in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and fill the same position behind Bachir in the Irish version of the Classic at the Curragh, Gaint's Causeway's success came as a great relief for connections.
Kinane felt that the Storm Cat colt was unlucky in both races.
'I was hard on him at the Curragh,' said the jockey. 'And tactically I got it wrong so I wanted to make amends today.'
He added: 'He had never got off the bridle in his last two runs, he was never really travelling well.
'I knew the steep hill would suit him today and he tries hard and answers every call. Valentino came by me and headed me but fortunately I had enough time to respond.'
O'Brien admitted he had become frustrated by Giant's Causeway's failure to get his head in front.
'He's a lovely horse who just does what he has to do. It has been very frustrating with him being beaten in the two Guineas.
'He's just starting to try now and the lads at home have done really well to keep him well and able to show his true potential.'
Michael Stoute, trainer of Medicean, had expected a good performance from his colt. 'But Kieren (Fallon) said that he never had a great deal of room on the inside and he could never really get stuck into him. He has run a cracking race and I am delighted with him.'
The Aga Khan emerged triumphant at the meeting as he secured a 285 to 1 treble with Kalanisi and Dalampour, both trained by Stoute, and the John Oxx-trained Katiykha.
Kalanisi, ridden by Fallon, came from the back of the field to lead inside the final furlong of the Queen Anne Stakes.
Fallon said: 'They went very quick and my horse ran lazily in the early stages but he warmed to his task as the race went on.'
Dalampour won in some style, stretching clear to thump Dutch Harrier by four lengths in the Queen's Vase to complete a double for Stoute and Fallon.
The owner's fabulous day was rounded off in style when Sinndar's jockey and trainer Johnny Murtagh and John Oxx combined to land the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap with Katiyhka.
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