Monterosso Advised at 9/2 WINS at 7/2

Monterosso turned in an impressive display to land the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot for Mark Johnston and Frankie Dettori.

The 7-2 chance came into the race having won four of his last five starts and was sent to the front halfway up the straight, sweeping aside Derby runner-up At First Sight.

The result was never in doubt thereafter as the three-year-old excelled on this step up to a mile and half to pass the post two and a quarter lengths ahead of Arctic Cosmos, with Buzzword third.

Johnston said: "That day at Ripon when he won a handicap was the day we really saw the class. He was in an impossible position, but he won and we saw a good horse. It told us to start stepping up in class.

"You could see what a green horse we had then. He really didn't know what his job was. He's a completely different animal now.

"Frankie was full of confidence. He said to me he loved the horse and he had said after Newmarket he really didn't think trip was an issue, that this horse had the speed for a mile but the aptitude for a mile and a half.

"We haven't discussed plans. The owners need to be consulted and we'll talk to them. I did hear Frankie mention the Irish Derby to Sheikh Mohammed, so that's maybe something to think about."

Dettori, who was given a two-day ban for interference, added: "I really like him. We stepped him up in distance, he keeps on improving and I thought it was a tremendous performance. Perhaps a pop at the Irish Derby could be on the cards."