Ascot in raptures as Johnson Houghton ace kicks off royal meeting with a bang

It was a head-scratcher, no doubt about it, but when Accidental Agent equalled the record as the longest-priced winner of the Queen Anne Stakes in June, it was a moment that warmed the soul and left an indelible grin of satisfaction.

In a week regularly dominated by the blue bloods from Coolmore and the training prowess of John Gosden, Sir Michael Stoute and Aidan O’Brien, Royal Ascot had started with something refreshingly different – this was not your average Group 1 result by a long chalk.

Instead, a breakthrough at the top level for straight-talking trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and her dependable rider Charlie Bishop, neither of whom are exactly blessed with an abundance of Group 1 ammunition. And unlikely heroes evidently come in threes, considering Accidental Agent was snubbed as a yearling at the sales.