MANDURO oozed class as he landed the Prince Of Wales's Stakes for Andre Fabre and Stephane Pasquier at Royal Ascot.
Third in the race behind Ouija Board 12 months ago, the five-year-old made no mistake this year as he held off Aidan O'Brien's Dylan Thomas by a length and a quarter.
Sent off the 15-8 favourite, he was never far from the front and quickened up like a top-class animal. Notnowcato finished third.
Last year's Derby winner Sir Percy cut out the running but was swamped as soon as the runners turned into the straight.
Notnowcato briefly hit the front, although Dylan Thomas and Manduro had still to play their cards.
Once that pair were asked to quicken it was Manduro who found the greater turn of foot and they pulled well clear of Notnowcato in the final furlong.
Pasquier has now ridden Manduro on four occasions and the combination are unbeaten.
Fabre said: "He got boxed in last year and is a horse who needs space. I don't want to blame jockeys before but Stephane had a clear run this time.
"He's a top-class miler and pace is not a problem for him. "I was a little worried with the distance last year but I'm convinced he'll get a mile and a half.
"He's entered in King George and the Arc in the obvious target," he told BBC Sport.
Winning owner Baron Georg Von Ullmann said: "It is amazing, we've been here a few times but a winner had never come our way. It's a dream.
"He was very unlucky last year. He had three or four rides where he was in the wrong position and perhaps he could have won more races.
"Pasquier fits the horse very well and they are a marriage made in heaven."
