Kizlyar leads home Joseph O’Brien one-two in Ascot Stakes

Kizlyar got the better of stablemate Defiantly to lead home a one-two for Joseph O’Brien in the Ascot Stakes.

Lavender Hill Mob took field along at a steady pace over the two and a half miles, before Defiantly (25-1) was the first to lay down a challenge and took it up two furlongs from home.

But Kizlyar – also a 25-1 chance – did not let him have it all his own way and went off in pursuit heading into the final furlong, getting up by a head to give Joey Sheridan a first-ever Royal Ascot winner.

Sheridan said: “It just means everything. I only started riding for Joseph last year and it’s what kept me in Ireland really and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s given me. Dylan (Browne McMonagle) was out for the first two months of the season and Joseph fired everything at me so to pay him back to ride a Royal Ascot winner is brilliant.”