Giavellotto the Hardwicke hero for Marco Botti

Globetrotting star Giavellotto added a Royal Ascot victory to his glittering CV when edging out old rival Kalpana in a thrilling finish to the Hardwicke Stakes.

Marco Botti’s Hong Kong Vase hero, who was last seen finishing third to Calandagan in Dubai, accounted for Andrew Balding’s Ascot specialist in Kempton’s September Stakes last year and the duo went toe-to-toe on a much grander stage this time.

Kalpana always had a handy position and travelled menacingly into the straight for Colin Keane and a dramatic climax would ensue, with French raider Goliath also entering the picture before jockey Christophe Soumillon appeared to lose his irons inside the final furlong when laying down a challenge.

Only a short head separated 9-1 chance Giavellotto and the 9-4 favourite Kalpana as they crossed the line, with the narrow verdict giving jockey Oisin Murphy a first winner of the week.