Orchestra Stall shock

DOUBLE TRIGGER, who has launched his last two campaigns with an Insulpak Sagaro Stakes victory, badly misfired when finishing last at Ascot yesterday.

He was beaten over 15 lengths as improving handicapper Orchestra Stall sprang a 9 to 1 surprise in the Group Three event.

Double Trigger edged out Grey Shot in a thrilling dual for the race last year and he was backed down to 6 to 4 favourite to confirm his. superiority on 6lb better terms in the rematch.

But Jason Weaver was sending out distress signals with three quarters of a mile still to run and Double Trigger was never able to produce his customary battling finish as Orchestra Stall stretched three and a half lengths clear of Wilawander.

A foot infection last week hindered Double Trigger's build up to yesterday's race but trainer Mark Johnston was not offering that as an excuse.

"Jason says he's not made an effort and we should try blinkers," said Johnston. "But he said that this time last year and we didn't do it then.

It hasn't helped that Grey Shot went off at break neck speed but maybe Double Trigger doesn't like not being up in front."

Grey Shot led the field into the straight but finished nearly eight lengths off the winner to the disappointment of trainer Ian Balding.

But the John Dunlop trained Orchestra Stall, whose best win before today came in a listed handicap, surprised his connections who have not engaged him in the Ascot Gold Cup.

"We always thought he liked soft ground but the reality is he runs better on top of the ground," said part owner Lord Swaythling.

The victory inspired Richard Quinn to the feature race double with a brilliant tactical performance on Tregaron in the Insulpak Victoria Cup.

His manoeuvre to switch his mount from the stands' to the far side group approaching the two furlong mark helped secure a third success in the race for trainer Reg Akehurst.

Akehurst, who went off to land the Royal Hunt Cup with 1994 Victoria Cup winner Face North, will now take the same route with Tregaron.

John Dunlop matched Quinn by completing a double with Nwaamis, who pipped Charlotte Corday on his first run since last May.

Blueridge Dancer, winner of the Brocklesby Stakes in March, earned a return to Royal Ascot for the Coventry Stakes after a two length success in the Garter Conditions Stakes.

The John Gosden trained Noisette was cut to 25-1 for the Oaks after getting off the mark in the opening Insulpak Conditions Stakes.