Sword takes Queen's Vase for Ballydoyle Sword Fighter (33/1) provided Aidan O'Brien's supporters with a long-priced Royal Ascot winner in the Queen's Vase. The beautifully-bred son of Galileo made just about every yard of the running in the two-mile contest and held off a host of challengers late on under Colm O'Donoghue. O'Donoghue looked certain to be reeled in by Harbour Law as the field entered the final two furlongs but he continued to pull out extra under pressure. Harbour Law (8/1) closed again in the final strides but was still around a length behind the winner at the line. Twilight Payment came with a late flourish to snatch third at 20/1 ahead of the strongly-backed 10/3 favourite Landofhopeandglory, the first string from O'Brien's yard. The Ballydoyle handler was completing a double after Brave Anna's success in the opening Albany Stakes. O'Donoghue said: "To be fair all the horses come here in prime condition and Aidan has them ready for the day. "He's a horse that handles an ease in the ground and he has loads of heart. "He's done everything right. He settled and travelled and he's not short of speed, either. He picked up from a mile out and was strong to the line. "I've been getting a lot of very good rides from a great team of people from a very young age. I'm very grateful." O'Brien said: "Colm gave him a class ride. He dictated the pace lovely the whole way and got it absolutely spot on. "He got beaten the last day by Dermot's (Weld) horse in Naas, but Donnacha (O'Brien) said we should bring him here and step him up to two miles. "I wasn't convinced by what he'd said, but obviously he was right. Colm and Seamie (Heffernan, rider of Brave Anna) are world-class riders and any opportunities they get, you see the results. I'm so lucky to have them."
