SIR Michael Stoute extended his extraordinary record in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes to eight victories, 33 years after he secured his first, when Mustashry saw off the challenge of superstar filly Laurens to claim a stirring renewal of Newbury’s Flat showpiece on Saturday.

Mustashry pulled two-and-a-half lengths clear of five-time Group One winner Laurens, ‘the Queen in the north’ who went off 5-1 joint favourite, with last year’s Queen Anne Stakes winner Accidental Agent third, to claim the £350,000 contest for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.

On only his second start in top level company Mustashry became the first six-year-old to win the opening Group One race for older horses of the British Flat season since Rakti 14 years ago and earned his trainer a first success for 13 years.

“We knew he was in very good shape,” said Stoute. “He’s had his niggles over his career, but I don’t think we’ve had him in better shape than he is here.

“I would think he would go for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he is a versatile horse. He’s won at a mile-and-a-quarter as well, but I think the Queen Anne would be what Sheikh Hamdan would want to go for and would be the right move.”

Jockey Jim Crowley was experiencing his first taste of Lockinge success and said: “He is a really solid horse who has got better every year. He has beaten a good filly in second. He is just a proper horse. He won well.”

Mustashry was cut to 4-1 favourite from 20-1 for the Queen Anne in which the first three finishers are likely to lock horns again. Both Laurens and Accidental Agent came into the race without the benefit of a prep run unlike the winner.

Laurens’ trainer Karl Burke said: “She proved she is going to be a force in this division. If she can boss it I don’t know, but against fillies you would have to wonder what can beat her. She’s ran a great race and I’m delighted with her.”

Accidental Agent ran on at the finish to get within half-a-length of Laurens.

Other winners on Saturday included Crystal Ocean, Khardeem, Queen Power and Headman, while Kiefer took the honours in the John Sunley Memorial Handicap on Friday.

Other successful horses on the opening day of the meeting included Embour, Jubiloso, Logician and 33/1 shot Wind in my Sails in the last.