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Roger Varian’s well-backed 3/1 chance My Cloud left it late but ultimately claimed the Royal Hunt Cup in snug style at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
A winner on his handicap debut over course and distance earlier in the season, My Cloud arrived at the Royal meeting attempting to make it four from four over the mile trip following his latest narrow success at Newbury on Lockinge day.
Held up off the pace from his high draw in stall 32, Silvestre de Sousa ooked in a spot of bother as he found himself travelling much the best behind a wall of horses with two furlongs to go.
Heading down towards the final furlong, the son of Blue Point, who is a half-brother to the 2020 St James's Palace Stakes scorer Palace Pier, still had to plot his way through a wall of horses.
However, the gap opened just in time for Silvestre de Sousa, who quickly set the progressive four-year-old alight deep inside the final furlong.
Bullet Point, who himself was seeking a fourth-straight success, put up a bold bid on the far side of the track, but My Cloud always looked to be coming home the stronger and ultimately went on to prevail by a snug three quarters of a length.
Bullet Point finished in second, Bopedro third and Greek Order fourth.
"The horse likes it here and we all do; we all enjoy winners at this meeting," said Varian.
"Patience has been key. He had a few niggles as a young horse, so we couldn't get as busy as we would have liked on the racecourse aged two and three and he only really got going late last year.
"He's done well this year which is a great team effort at home. There's a lot of people to thank but mainly his owner who has been the most patient of everyone.
"I was at pains to tell Silvestre not to be in a rush with him, as races on the straight mile can develop late, and this is a horse with a lot of class who moved through the race well.
"We will have to hope he keeps improving and progressing and that was a mighty performance for an inexperienced horse. We hope he could progress out of handicaps one day, but there won't be a rush to do so.
"He's had three races now so I think we will regroup, enjoy today and then work out a plan."
