The Britannia goes to Osborne and Spencer

Defrocked overcame some waywardness in the finish to claim a narrow verdict in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Jamie Osborne's charge was sent off a 13-2 chance in the hands of Jamie Spencer, who opted to stick with the far-side group after being drawn in stall 12.

Spencer settled him in the pack in the early stages before scything through the field to deliver his run with a couple of furlongs to travel.

He easily assumed control but with a furlong to go, Defrocked began to drift markedly to his right, deviating from his route down the centre of the track right over to the far rail.

However, he still managed to fend off the challenge of Abe Lincoln by a short head, with Chief Whip third and the front-running Arcanada fourth.

Spencer said: "I was trying to get a lead for as long as I could - he's a high-class horse.

"It's great for Michael (Buckley, owner) because he's a gent and is great for this game.

"He rang me at half past eight last night to make sure I was in bed. My hell raising days are behind me.

"It's worked out well but the last furlong was a long one. Losing that much ground is one day going to cost him.

"I should have held on to him, hitting the front that early was the wrong thing to do.

"When it started raining last weekend all my good chances had gone, this was the only one left."

Osborne believes Defrocked can progress further from this win.

He said: "He's not there yet, he's a light-framed horse and is immature.

"It was a race against time to get him here but we always knew he was good enough to compete in a race like this.

"Thank god it's gone well, he's got his quirks, he's gone to the right, hit the front too soon, but he's hung on so it's great.

"This place is like Cheltenham when I was riding, it's where you want winners.

"We don't have too many very good horses so when we get them you've got to plan them and this has been a plot since last autumn - it's great when it comes off."

Osborne, who suffered a major blow this season when stable star Toast Of New York was retired after injury, added: "I just thought he was the right horse for the Britannia.

"I was hoping to come here on mark after three runs and on a mark of 89, but after he got beat at Sandown we had to go to Doncaster on Derby Day to get him in the race and he's ended up running here off 95.

"Maybe that was the making of the horse as he may not have been ready. This horse is very raw. I think he could be top-class and he's the best I've had since Toast Of New York."