MARK JOHNSTON became the inaugural trainer to keep first place prize-money on home county soil when Middleham's Melrose Avenue struck a blow for the locals in yesterday's Queen's Vase.

Prior to the £60,000 two-miler, Yorkshire-based horses had drawn a blank on the opening three days of Royal Ascot at York, but predictably Johnston was the man to break the deadlock when the Kevin Darley-ridden Melrose Avenue saw off his rivals in typically gritty fashion.

"That was his first venture over two-miles and now he's got the trip so well he could develop into a Cup horse next year," explained Johnston, who was keen to heap praise on the way the meeting has been organised.

"I think the York executive have done a splendid job with Royal Ascot and it was important to have a winner trained in Yorkshire," added Johnston, clearly relieved about finally adding to his exemplary record of 21 winners during the past ten years at the Royal meeting.

Sir Michael Stoute must have had mixed feelings over his 25-1 scorer, Imperial Stride, since he also trained the 7-2 market leader, Promotion, for The Queen in the Wolferton Handicap.

While favourite backers plus a large contingent of the 50,000-strong crowd were baying for a regal victory in the presence of Her Majesty via Promotion, Stoute's second string, Imperial Stride, stunned the packed Knavesmire into virtual silence by scooting to an easy length-and-three-quarter triumph.

The winner finished tailed off on his reappearance this season, which accounted for the whopping £59.20 dividend paid out by the Tote, however he came back to form at an untimely moment to leave his trainer somewhat red-faced.

"I was surprised he won so easily, saying that though, he's had a good preparation going into the race," said Sir Michael, in rather reticent mood after the dust had settled.

Neither was Promotion's defeat the only talking point of the race, because Simple Exchange had earlier been the subject of one of the biggest gambles in Royal Ascot history.

Although Dermot Weld's runner was laid to lose over £10m by the leading layers in the betting industry, not for the first time the bookmakers got out of jail when Simple Exchange could manage eighth place.

After deliberating for some ten minutes, the stewards opted to let Plea Bargain keep the King Edward VII Stakes despite the latter having drifted off a straight line and interfered with runner-up Brahminy Kite and The Geezer.

"He's from a lovely family and as he's had plenty of racing we'll now put him away for the autumn. the St Leger is a possibility - I'll have to discuss plans with owner, Sheikh Mohammed," reported John Gosden.

Meanwhile, there was a sting in the tail for winning jockey, Jimmy Fortune, who received a three-day ban (June 28-30) for careless riding having failed to pull his whip through in order to straighten up Plea Bargain.

Jeremy Noseda notch a notable one-two by sending both the first and second, La Chunga and Vague, in the Albany Stakes.

All the money just before the off had been for 5-4 favourite, Rumplestiltskin, and 7-2 shot, Spinning Queen, none the less hard as that pair tried, they could not handle La Chunga's late charge from the furlong pole.

Carrying the colours of west-Yorkshire based owner, Sir Robert Ogden, better known for his top-class string of jumpers, the filly was immediately given a quote of 16-1 for next season's 1000 Guineas.

"We'll think about the Guineas all in good time, but she's got so much speed races like the Lowther back here at the Ebor meeting are on the agenda," said Noseda.

Successful rider, Jamie Spencer, was equally upbeat.

"I think she's very special, I haven't sat on a two-year-old as quick or precocious," he enthused.