Illuminate shines in Albany Stakes

Illuminate justified favouritism with a stylish performance under Richard Hughes to win the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Hughes was content to sit towards the rear for much of the six-furlong contest before bringing Illuminate through to challenge and she had the measure of Ashadihan and Elegant Supermodel in the closing stages.

Wesley Ward enjoyed Group success with his juvenile filly Acapulco in the Queen Mary Stakes earlier in the week and he sent two into battle for the Albany.

Ward’s Laxfield Road, ridden by Frankie Dettori, blazed an early trail down the far side as the majority of the 18-runner field came down that part of the track.

But the distress signals were being sent out by Dettori a couple of furlongs from home as the challengers started to queue up.

Hughes had been travelling sweetly on Illuminate, who had won at Salisbury on her only previous start, and he angled her out for a run with just over a furlong to go.

She made up ground smartly to catch the leaders and she finished a length-and-a-half ahead of Ashadihan, who pipped Elegant Supermodel for second by a short head.

After the race, winning trainer Richard Hannon pinpointed the likes of the Cherry Hinton and Lowther as possible future targets for Illuminate.