Racing: Royal Ascot report and previewGeorge Washington might not have lived up to his headline billing yesterday but instead it was his trainer Aidan O'Brien who stepped into the spotlight on the first day of Royal Ascot with a remarkable clean sweep of the St James's Palace Stakes headed by Excellent Art.

That it might turn into a very good day for Ireland's champion trainer was clearly signalled in the opening Coventry Stakes when Henrythenavigator confirmed his status as a prime classic contender for next year by justifying 11 to 4 favouritism in some style.

But nothing could have prepared the huge Ascot crowd for what would happen in the St James's Palace Stakes where Excellent Art led home a rare Group One one-two-three with Jamie Spencer's mount running out a neck clear of Duke Of Marmalade with Astronomer Royal back in third.

Behind the Ballydoyle trio was the beaten favourite Cockney Rebel who despite pulling too hard in the early stages, still looked like coming to win his race only to veer dramatically to his left in the closing stages.

That meant no Royal Ascot prize to go along with both the English and Irish Guineas and for Spencer at least, it's yesterday's result that casts the most light on the pecking order of Europe's top three-year-old milers.

"I always feel this race counts for most. The Guineas winners come here and it is usually the best horse who wins this race. This fellow proved it today," said O'Brien's former stable jockey who picked up a ban on Excellent Art when they were behind Astronomer Royal in the French Guineas.

"I did what I felt was best for the horse that day and I felt he would have won easily if he had got the gaps.

"He settled beautifully today and although I was a bit worried about the pace, once he got the split a furlong out he was always going to win," Spencer added.

In contrast there was nothing inevitable about a dramatic Queen Anne Stakes where George Washington was only fourth behind Ramonti but was still only narrowly beaten after looking set to drop tamely away a couple of furlongs from home.

Michael Kinane initially had a tough time settling the charismatic ex-champion who was returning from a failed stud career but O'Brien was more than willing to make allowances.

"We were delighted with him. After going to stud and covering 60 mares, you'd be a bit fresh too, wouldn't you," he grinned.

"It was a good run back and he showed he still has that early pace," O'Brien added. "We always thought he would get 10 furlongs and that could be an option."

Ramonti's success was sweet for Godolphin who had been without a British Group One victory since Punctillious won the 2005 Yorkshire Oaks. In a desperate finish, Frankie Dettori's mount edged out Jeremy and Turtle Bowl and the jockey said: "They all went by me but I knew they'd come back.

"It takes a lot of guts to make all in a Group One and I'm delighted for the boss (Sheikh Mohammed)."

Dettori was, however, found guilty of using his whip with excessive force and frequency and not giving his mount time to respond. The matter was referred to the Horseracing Regulatory Authority as the stewards felt the offence required a longer ban than the seven days that could have been imposed on the day.

Henrythenavigator did what Holy Roman Emperor couldn't do last year and overcame inexperience to land the major two-year-old Ascot prize.

"We were very worried coming here with only one run and being drawn 17. Mick (Kinane) produced him in the middle but after one run, and with the stands packed, it's a big thing for a horse. Hopefully he will make into a Guineas horse but a lot can happen," O'Brien said.

The draw yet again looked to be a factor in Dandy Man missing out on the Kings Stand Stakes as from stall two he couldn't get to grips with the Australian favourite Miss Andretti. Last year, Tracey Collins's horse looked to be undone by a high draw but a low one didn't help either as Dandy Man went down by a length and three-quarters.

"He's run a super race to divide the Aussies as he had to come up on his own," Collins said. "He probably won't run in the Golden Jubilee on Saturday but we will look at the July Cup."

However, Miss Andretti is set to try and double up at the weekend.