MICHAEL KINANE (right) confirmed himself leading rider at Royal Ascot for the third year running when he took the Hardwicke Stakes on Oscar Schindler yesterday.

The Irishman clinched the London Clubs Trophy with a total of five winners, bettering by one his tally in each of the last two seasons.

But he owed some of his success to Frankie Dettori's absence through injury as the Italian would otherwise have ridden both Charnwood Forest and Classic Cliche. Kinane's other winners were Dance Parade and Gordi.