The improving Burdett Road (20/1) burst to the front some way from home and kept up the gallop to provide Neil Callan with a second Royal Ascot success for the week…

It was a first Royal Ascot winner for trainer Michael Bell since The Lir Jet landed the Norfolk Stakes back in 2020.

The Michael Bell-trained runner always looked to be travelling kindly and kicked clear under Neil Callan entering the final two furlongs. Oisin Murphy galvanised his mount, Lion Of War (9/2 JF), up the far side rail but the Roaring Lion colt could never quite get on terms and eventually finished three-quarters of a length behind the snug winner.

Charlie Appleby's frustrating winless week continued as his Local Dynasty (9/2 JF) stuck on to fill the third spot.

There was no fairytale ending at Royal Ascot for Frankie Dettori, whose mount Knockbrex faded badly having cut out much of the early running.

Callan said: "This horse was very impressive last time out when he bossed a small field around Newbury over a mile and a quarter. He'd shown his best form over a mile, but he loved the fast ground that day and he got his own way in front. The only two times he's won was when he got his own way in front.

"We weren't sure whether he would suit being in behind, but Michael said, 'I'll leave it to you – sit where you want to be'. The pace was good, but I had him so relaxed, so I took a lead off the front bunch, and he just travelled so well and accelerated. He surprised me and probably accelerated too well too soon, but you can't really change your mind once you're committed.

"I've been to Hong Kong and back, a story that's been told 100 times. I think as you get older, you're a bit more relaxed, you appreciate it a bit more, and I certainly appreciated coming back from Hong Kong. I'm pleased to have done as well as I've done. Look at this, it's Royal Ascot, the greatest show on earth."

Bell said: "It was a good performance. Burdett Road loved that fast ground when he won at Newbury, so we were hopeful he'd be effective today. It was a much deeper race and he had not done much since Newbury.

"He is a very good-looking horse, bred by the Gredleys, who we have been lucky for, so I am delighted. The colours have been lucky, and the Gredleys have been great breeders for many years. Bill is not here today but he will be thrilled, watching at home. He was on the gallops this morning and was here on Thursday.

"The most difficult thing about training, when you have been doing it for as long as me, and when you can clearly do the job, is getting the well-bred horse to walk through the door. We are lucky we have the Gredleys and many other nice horses. It is a tough old business, but we are lucky to have what we have and very grateful for another winner here."

Lion Of War's jockey Oisin Murphy said: "Another second for Sheikh Fahad [of Qatar Racing]. Everything we have run, bar one, has been in the first three and we've had no winner. Lion Of War ran a brilliant race from an awkward draw. He had a nice inside trip and stayed on in the straight. I thought the winner was very tough and got a great ride."

Trainer Charlie Johnston added: "Lion Of War is a horse we've always thought a huge amount of. After his first two runs this year, Sheikh Fahad and David [Redvers] were probably thinking I was mad the way I always talked about this horse, but thankfully he is starting to put it together. He was quite far back from that draw, and the winner has just got first run on us at the top of the straight. A little bit maybe one that got away, but that's the nature of the beast here – you need everything to go in your favour and we just weren't quite good enough on the day."