RAMONTI confirmed his position as a top-class miler with victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The Queen Anne Stakes and Sussex Stakes hero, owned by Godolphin and trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, completed a treble in Group One contests in tremendous style. Frankie Dettori kicked on over two furlongs out and the 5-1 chance held on by half a length from Excellent Art, with the pacemaking Duke Of Marmalade a similar distance away in third.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Duke Of Marmalade made it a true test as he set out in front under a forceful ride from Mick Kinane, but it was Ramonti who was in his slipstream and not his stablemate Excellent Art.

Dettori was in the driving seat on Ramonti and the Italian made his intentions clear as he asked his mount for an effort a long way from home.

As on other occasions this season, Ramonti gave his all, quickly building up a clear lead and having enough in hand to confirm Sussex Stakes form with the strongfinishing Excellent Art.

Bin Suroor was quick to heap praise on the ex-Italian five-year-old after the race.

"Frankie gave him a brilliant ride. The horse was in great form before . . . it was a very tough race but the horse had the class to win.

"He has won three Group One races now this season.

Horses that come from Italy can find it tough but he's proved it now and he's still fighting."

A delighted Dettori was also full of praise. "Now he is undoubtedly the best miler in Europe. He has won three of the biggest races and is a true champion.

"It was a long way from the two-furlong marker to the line, but I had a great champion underneath me and I could hear the whips cracking. He's an ultimate professional and a great fighter." Excellent Art's jockey Jamie Spencer said: "It was a messy race and I'm surprised no-one laid up behind Frankie."

Cesare ran a game race in fourth and Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, who own the six-year-old, said: "He's run a blinder and there was more or less the same distance between him and the winner as in the Queen Anne Stakes.

"He's a solid Group Two horse and if he comes out of it OK we might have a crack at the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket."