'I've never asked before in 33 years' - Merchant gets William Haggas off the mark at Royal Ascot after begging to train the Group 1 prospect

Big targets could await Highclere's newest Royal Ascot star Merchant after he surged to victory in the King George V Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien looked primed for yet another winner with Serious Contender, who took up the running two furlongs from home, but Ryan Moore's mount could not hold off the William Haggas-trained Merchant, who burst from the rear of the field out wide to score by a length under Tom Marquand.

The Teofilo colt made light of an 8lb hike to strike off a mark of 90 to add to the syndicate's excellent record in the race, this being their fifth win from just 13 runners.

"He’s got such a good pedigree," said Highclere racing manager Harry Herbert. "Jake Warren bought him for us at Goffs and we were so excited, hugging and kissing, and my phone was ringing and ringing and I thought, 'Aargh, who's that?' It was William Haggas, who said, 'I've just seen you've bought that, please, please, I've never asked before in 33 years, please can I train him?' And here we are, at Royal Ascot – it's very special."

Merchant could soon trade one King George for another with an entry in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on July 26, but other exciting targets are also under consideration after this impressive success.

"William has been saying he's a very good horse," added Herbert. "He hasn't been given an entry in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes lightly, but that might just be froth.

"That was a very good performance, though – he's come from a long way back and has won very convincingly, so we're very excited.

"He fits the profile of other horses we've had in the race who have gone on [to better things]. The normal route might be the Gordon Stakes, who knows? Maybe the St Leger or the Great Voltigeur?"

Murphy magic

Charlie Appleby may be hitting the woodwork, but Godolphin have become regulars in the winner's enclosure this week and they followed up Trawlerman's Gold Cup strike with another success courtesy of Arabian Story in the Britannia Stakes.

The homebred colt shone under Oisin Murphy on his turf debut to hold off the late challenge of La Botte, with the top five all coming from the highest draws in the 30-strong field.

Arabian Story and Oisin Murphy wins the Britannia Stakes

Oisin Murphy celebrates on Britannia Stakes winner Arabian StoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's quite lazy, but he was very good last time at Chelmsford," said Murphy, who was providing trainer Saeed bin Suroor with his 40th winner at the royal meeting. "He got a little bit of experience in Dubai on the dirt in races he didn't enjoy, which made him tough, and I was delighted with his attitude here.

"He'll be a Group 3 horse going over a mile and a quarter. He was the first one off the bridle, and it's very hard to win at Ascot on the straight course when that happens, so he's got a fair level of ability. It's lovely to win one for Saeed."

Never So Brave is out on his own in the Buckingham Palace Stakes under Oisin MurphyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Murphy brought up a double on the day when dominating proceedings in the Buckingham Palace Stakes on Never So Brave, a former Sir Michael Stoute runner now in the care of Andrew Balding.

The four-year-old favourite snuck up the rail on the stands' side to pull clear in the closing stages to see off Akkadian Thunder by a commanding two and a quarter lengths.

"I was also going so comfortably that I never panicked because I was sat on so much horse," said Murphy. "It opened up lovely for him on the rail.

"His work at home has been a lot better than a handicapper. All the lads were very confident in the yard, and I think it was a lot of their money that made him favourite. It's been a brilliant day."

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