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Ahern in number one again at Royal Ascot

Wed 15th Jun 2011, 16:45

Walter Swinburn's Julienas won the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot under Eddie Ahern.

Julienas, who had finished third in two starts at Sandown this season, ran on well to land the prestigious mile handicap from the well-backed favourite Dance And Dance.

Ahern's mount was always travelling well just in behind the pace and the gaps appeared at the right time to allow Ahern to grab the favoured stands' side rail.

Habitual hold-up performer Dance And Dance weaved his way through the field to give chase and was a little short of room and had to be switched but he couldn't reel in the game winner.

Last year's winner Invisible Man finished third under Frankie Dettori with Pendragon in fourth and Eton Forever fifth.

Former top jockey Swinburn said: "Eddie was more than happy, he said the horse powered home, when the second horse came at him he pulled out a bit more. In my view we were well on top at the end.

"He's won by half a length but everyone can see our horse was well on top at the line. He won it on merit.

"He was this size at two so we couldn't train him, we've brought him along quietly. He's filled his frame now and we've gone at his pace and we've got the reward.

"When you win as a trainer it means so much more. It's months of hard work and it means so much to everyone."

Ahern picked up a two-day ban for allowing his mount to drift but was still delighted to bag another winner.

"Ryan (Moore) did have to check and come round me but when he came to me mine picked up again," said Ahern.

"The stewards decided the best horse won as he kept the race but I got a two-day ban.

"Even though they were going pretty quick I didn't feel like they were as he's so big, I'm not surprised he didn't run at two."

Ed Vaughan, trainer of the runner-up, said: "Ryan said he got checked, and it definitely cost him the race. So you don't know whether to laugh or cry really."

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Invisible Man, said: "Third was a good run for him as we were disappointed with him in Dubai."