Point proved after Canford Cliffs holds off his stablemate

It is hard to believe it was exactly a year ago when Richard Hannon's colt blew his rivals away in the Coventry Stakes and it had taken until last month's Irish 2000 Guineas for the colt to register another victory.

With English 2000 Guineas hero Makfi looking a shadow of his best, it was the winner's stablemate Dick Turpin who proved the biggest danger.

"Canford Cliffs is a horse that just keeps getting better and better. It's one thing to win the Coventry but to come on and win this year is something else," said Hannon as he reflected on his stable's one-two.

"I feel very sorry for Dick Turpin – that's the third Group One he has finished runner-up in after the English and French Guineas.

"He may be the bridesmaid but I'm lucky to have two horses as good as this pair.

"With Paco and these two, I have three great milers and I'll have to keep them apart if I can. Canford Cliffs has got to go for Group Ones so I suppose the Sussex Stakes and the Jacques le Marois would be possibilities."

Hannon and Hughes went on to complete a double when Strong Suit went on to win the Coventry Stakes.

However the highlight was globetrotting French mare Goldikova living up to her superstar status by landing her ninth Group One win in the Queen Anne Stakes, the opening race of the five-day meeting.

Winning trainer Freddie Head said of his dual Breeders' Cup winner: "This is great for me. It is one of the greatest moments of my life to win at Royal Ascot with an exceptional mare like that."

In his riding career, Head partnered 10-times Group One-winning mare Miesque to two Breeders' Cup Mile wins, but he was loathe to rate Goldikova as her superior.

Meanwhile Seb Sanders gave Junior one of the rides of the season to make every yard of the running in the Ascot Stakes.

Last seen competing in novice chases for Alan King, he was bought for 35,000gns at the Doncaster sales six weeks ago by Middleham Park Racing, a North Lincolnshire-based racing syndicate, before being sent to top National Hunt trainer David Pipe's Westcountry yard.

Sanders was positive from the outset with the 17-2 chance five lengths clear of Elyaadi at the line.

It was a first victory at the meeting for Pipe whose illustrious father, Martin, who recorded six Royal Ascot winners in his record-breaking career.

Pipe junior said: "It's brilliant. Middleham Park Racing were interested in buying him from the Doncaster Sales about six weeks ago.

"We talked together, they bought him and sent him to me very kindly. They had this race in mind and Seb has given him a fantastic ride.

"It's fantastic to have my first Royal Ascot winner. We've been placed with Royal Rationale and Mamlook the last couple of years and it's a very memorable day."

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