Aidan O’Brien made it a one-two within the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot as Illinois held off stablemate Highbury in a hard-fought end.
The 7/4 favourite additionally gave Ryan Moore his eightieth Royal Ascot winner and he’s now only one behind Frankie Dettori, who holds the present jockey file (81) and is second on the all-time record behind Lester Piggott’s iconic 116. .
Illinois contested the lead with Mr Hempstead for many of the contest within the second Group 1m 6f earlier than heading dwelling at first of the intermediate assembly.
Highbury, ridden by Wayne Lordon, made a powerful problem within the final stretch, however Illinois held on by a size and 1 / 4 regardless of drifting to the left within the closing phases.
Birdman completed third, three-quarters of a size additional forward of Meydaan.
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