'We'd love to go to Melbourne' - big targets for Ethical Diamond as Willie Mullins gets off the mark at Royal Ascot

Willie Mullins has the Melbourne Cup in mind for Ethical Diamond after he gave him a first winner at Royal Ascot this year when landing the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes under Ryan Moore.

The five-year-old was a beaten favourite in this race last season, finishing fourth when 7-4, but surged clear in the straight to raise Mullins' tally to 11 at the royal meeting.

Ethical Diamond runs in the silks of the H O S Syndicate, made famous by 2023 Ebor winner Absurde, and he could also be bound for York's £500,000 handicap in August.

The 3-1 favourite is building quite a CV, having also finished fourth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Mullins, who was in Friday's royal procession with wife Jackie, said: “He was going well enough turning for home to be able to go where he wanted to go, unlike last year when he ran too free and things didn’t work out. 

Willie Mullins started the day in the royal procession with wife JackieCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"He still finished fourth last year, so I thought if we could get things right for him this year, he'd have a real live chance, and it worked out that way. 

“We'll give him a little break and look at York; that's normally where we go from here. The Ebor would be possible and we'd love to go to Melbourne. If we can get him qualified, that'd be wonderful.

"After the disaster this was last year, I gave Ryan a year to put it right."

Sandringham win means 'luck has changed' for Shoemark after Gosden blow 

Kieran Shoemark enjoyed his biggest winner since being dropped as number one jockey to John and Thady Gosden when guiding Never Let Go to victory in the Sandringham.

Never Let Go: lands the Sandringham on the far sideCredit: Edward Whitaker

The 22-1 shot was given a great ride to deny Cajole by a length in the Rockcliffe Stud colours, continuing the fine association between Shoemark and trainer Ed Walker, who teamed up to land two Group 1s in France with Dreamloper in 2022.

Shoemark, landing a second Royal Ascot winner, said: "She's got a high cruising speed, stays this trip well, and I was on the right one. She's talented, progressive and had the perfect profile for this.

"Royal Ascot is a competitive place to get winners; you need to be riding for the powerhouses like Coolmore. I'm very lucky to have this ride and Ed Walker has been loyal, so it's great repay him."

Reflecting on being dropped by the Gosdens and seeing former ride Field Of Gold produce one of the performances of the week in Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes, he said: "You've got to remain positive as a professional athlete and believe in yourself and that your luck will change. I think it just has."

'I told everyone to get on' - Adrestia lands Holyroodhouse gamble

An overnight gamble on Adrestia paid off as she flew home in the centre of the track to land the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes.

There was no shortage of confidence from Simon and Ed Crisford, who enjoyed a first success at Royal Ascot as joint-trainers, and she was backed into 10-1 (from 16s) overnight.

Simon Crisford: "What a great filly; we fancied her big time"Credit: Edward Whitaker

Their confidence had clearly been communicated to Oisin Murphy who always looked in control as his mount pulled clear of topweight Hammer The Hammer by a length.

Simon Crisford said: "What a great filly; we fancied her big time. She was the only horse we felt this week could win.

"We really, really fancied her. I said to everyone, including my son-in-law Harry Charlton, you want to get on at 16-1. She's talented, quick and it's great for KHK Racing."

It was a second winner in the colours of Bahraini Sheikh Khaled's racing operation after My Cloud won the Royal Hunt Cup for Roger Varian on Wednesday.

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'It's been tough but we'll have a better fight next year' - Kia Joorabchian on Amo Racing's Royal Ascot week 

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