Yorkshire victory will deliver morale boost

The Richard Fahey-trained two-year-old is owned by Mike Wynne whose son, also called Mike, is currently serving on the frontline.

On only his second racecourse outing, he was given a dream ride by Fahey's stable jockey Paul Hanagan, 29, who was recording his second Royal meeting after Cosmic Sun's shock 66-1 win last year.

Hanagan, the country's leading jockey this season, told the Yorkshire Post last Saturday that Marine Commando was his best chance of an Ascot winner.

Once in the lead, the colt held off Godolphin's fast-finishing Petronius Maximus by a neck. "One for the North," said Hanagan.

A jubilant Fahey added: "His first run was just to get him some experience and he's all speed – we just want to get him to settle. "I am particularly pleased for the owner as he named this colt after his son.

"It was pretty emotional for Mike to see this horse win. He did say that he told his son the horse would win – but I don't suppose they've got any betting shops in Afghanistan!"

Meanwhile Borderlescott, the two-time Yorkshire horse of the year, produced another heroic performance to finish third in the prestigious King's Stand Stakes.

The eight-year-old, trained by Wetherby's Robin Bastiman will now bid to notch up a hat-trick of triumphs in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York's Ebor meeting.