Manduro captures Prince of Wales

Manduro held off Dylan Thomas to score a thoroughly professional victory in the $696,000 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, leaving a trail of Group 1 winners in his wake.

Third in this key 1 1/4-mile race last year, Manduro showed that even a 5-year-old is eligible to improve as he scored by 1 1/4 lengths. Settled nicely in third as Sir Percy cut out some dawdling early fractions, he quickened to lead at the quarter pole as three-time Group 1 winner Dylan Thomas loomed up on his outside. Manduro and rider Stephane Pasquier were never going to be caught, however, as the German-bred son of Monsun covered the 10 furlongs on good to firm ground in 2:05.91, a rather slow time caused by the lack of early pace. Four lengths back in third was Notnowcato, the recent head winner from Dylan Thomas in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Breeders' Cup Turf winner Red Rocks was an unthreatening fourth, the ex-Italian runner Pressing was fifth, and Sir Percy, still winless since his 2005 Epsom Derby triumph, trailed in last, eight lengths behind the winner.

In following up on victories this season in the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes and the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan, the 15-8 favorite Manduro provided trainer Andre Fabre with his first Royal Ascot success since Banks Hill won the Coronation Stakes in 2001. Pointing out that Manduro was unlucky behind Ouija Board and Electrocutionist in last year's Prince of Wales, Fabre is confident that he can stay 1 1/2 miles and is planning a return to Ascot with him for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes on July 28.

Jersey: Tariq scores with late run

The withdrawal of Major Cadeaux from the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes saw US Ranger banged down to 6-5 favoritism among 15 runners in the Group 3 contest worth $129,000. A Danzig colt trained in France by Jean-Claude Rouget, US Ranger duly assumed command at the three-sixteenths pole but could not withstand the late charge of the 7-1 Tariq, who kicked off a royal triple for rider Jimmy Fortune by drawing off to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, Tariq was timed in 1:26.76 and now appears fully recovered from the broken pelvis he suffered when finishing third in last year's Coventry Stakes. He will go next in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes, while US Ranger will revert to six furlongs for the July Cup or 6 1/2 furlongs for the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Windsor Forest: Nannina by three

The combination of Ascot and fast ground proved a perfect combination for the 3-1 Nannina, who zoomed clear under Fortune to win the Group 2, $258,000 Windsor Forest Stakes by three lengths from French invader Satwa Queen. The winner of last years Coronation Stakes on similar ground here, the John Gosden-trained Nannina went the straight mile in 1:40.97 and will head to Goodwood next for the 1 1/4-mile Nassau Stakes. Fortune completed his triple by taking the Royal Hunt Cup aboard the Gosden-trained Royal Oath.