Charlie Appleby looks to have a useful juvenile on his hands after Military Code battled on bravely to make it two wins from as many starts in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Novice Stakes at Ascot.

A winner on debut at Newmarket last month, Charlie Appleby's charge was sent off the well-backed 8/11 chance to remain unbeaten, with main market rival Celestial King, a 1,750,000 guineas breeze-up purchase, making his first start for AMO Racing.

Celestial King showed plenty of early dash under David Egan, but once the taps were turned on, he failed to match some of his rivals in the closing stages.

Andrew Balding's Old Is Gold loomed up large to have a crack at Military Code, while Fitzella flew home to give favourite backers a scare late on. However, Buick's mount had enough up his sleeve and clung up grimly to score by a neck.

Paddy Power introduced the winner at 6/1 for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Buick said on Sky Sports Racing: "He had a penalty, and we thought it was a warm race on paper, good pedigrees, expensive horses, but he used his experience and sort of fought them off one by one, so he's got a lovely attitude and with a penalty it is never easy.

"I think he's going to improve. It's going to be interesting to see where his next step is, whether it be five or six furlongs, and you'd have to think that the Royal meeting will come under consideration for him.

"I think he's got plenty of speed for five but equally I think he will stay six, but in those two-year-old races here over five furlongs, that's nice to have in your locker, the bit of stamina."

Later on the card, Buick doubled up when steering Rainbows Edge to victory for John and Thady Gosden and HM the King and Queen in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies' Handicap.

A trip to Royal Ascot could now be on the cards for the daughter of Night Of Thunder, who looks set to receive an entry in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.

John Gosden said: "It's a stiff mile here and even with a cross-tailwind, she's done it well and is a very game filly.

"She's got a great attitude and probably up to a mile and a quarter will be her best trip. Her father is a great influence at a mile and a quarter, and I think that's where she'll wind up. Maybe not immediately, but certainly a bit down the road.

"We'll put her in the Duke of Cambridge (at Royal Ascot) and a good, stiff mile here will suit her."