Duntle delivers in Amethyst Stakes

The 8/13 favourite Duntle justified favouritism as she took the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes under Wayne Lordan for trainer David Wachman.

The chestnut daughter of Danehill Dancer won the Listed Sandringham Fillies Handicap at Royal Ascot last year before she followed up in the Group 3 Desmond Stakes over the course and distance in August.

She then won the Group 1 Matron Stakes again over the course and distance in September but was controversially demoted to second with Chachamaidee being awarded the race in the stewards room.

Making her seasonal reappearance this afternoon she raced in third for much of the contest before coming with her challenge two furlongs out.

She soon swept to the front and she kept on well from there to hold off the George Kent trained, Ronan Whelan ridden Custom Cut (10/1) by three parts of a length.

The front running Sweet Lightning was a further head back in third under Johnny Murtagh for Tommy Carmody at 3/1.

David Wachman said afterwards: "She wants fast ground and a fast pace. She will head to Ascot now and that was a satisfactory start for her."

The winner holds entries in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes (formerly the Windsor Forest Stakes) at Royal Ascot along with the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham