Akbar Ascot bound

Akbar was offered as short as 10-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot after landing a surprise success at Sandown today.

His trainer Mark Johnston fielded four in the Group Two Bonusprint Henry II Stakes, regarded as the last suitable warm-up for the stayers` championship a fortnight on Thursday.

Akbar was sent off at 16-1, but put bettered-fancied horses, including Johnston`s And Beyond, having his first start since the St Leger, and perennial public pet Persian Punch in their place.

Richard Hills was determined to keep clear of trouble on the six-year-old, whom he produced on the outside to lead inside the final two furlongs.

While he was kicking clear, his twin brother Michael was ensnared on the rails with Invermark, eventually wriggling free to cut the deficit to half-a-length with 100 yards to run, but then failing to make further inroads.

Akbar ran moderately on his reappearance in the Yorkshire Cup but will now be aimed at Ascot, for which William Hill cut him from25-1 to 10-1, and will be entered for the Melbourne Cup to be held in November.

Kyllachy will round off a day of happy families for Henry Candy if he wins the King`s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting following his impressive display in landing the Tripleprint Temple Stakes.

Song, Kyllachy`s maternal grandsire, was trained by Candy`s father Derrick to take both contests 33 years ago, and, according to the trainer, Kyllachy is the fastest horse he has dealt with since then.

'Song was a million years ago, and it makes me sound like a pensioner, but he was exactly the same as this horse in that he had to covered up and then produce that tremendous burst of speed,' said Candy.

Kyllachy gained his third successive win of the season when he quickened into the lead with Jamie Spencer at the furlong marker to beat Vision Of Night by four lengths.

Barry Hills`s two-year-old Never A Doubt, runner-up in her two previous contests, will tackle the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot after beating Speed Cop by two lengths in the Bonusprint EBF Maiden Fillies` Stakes.