Sioux Nation rises in 2017 Norfolk Stakes

Sioux Nation got Aidan O'Brien off to a flyer on Thursday when racing up the far side to win the Group II Norfolk Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot.

After the tendency of runners to come to the stands side on perceived faster ground on Wednesday, Ryan Moore stayed towards the rails side from his low draw and raced in a group of four. Held up until joining the course proper, Sioux Nation came through strongly as Santry came with his challenge to strike the front on the stands side.

The pair were wide apart at the finish with Sioux Nation (14/1) getting the verdict by half a length over Santry (13/2 eq fav) with Cardsharp (8/1), a son of Lonhro, a further 1 1/2-lengths away third.

Sioux Nation is the third Royal winner this week for the deceased Scat Daddy and O'Brien told ITV Racing he was pleasantly surprised at the two-year-old delivering so early in his career.

"He's a massive horse, a big powerful horse and to be doing this at this time of his career is incredible really. He's going to be something to look forward with," O'Brien said.

"He was travelling very well and I think he was trying to stall getting there , Ryan, but he paced it brilliantly. To get cover like he did with only three horses was brilliant.

"It's the pace that they (Scat Daddy) have making them different, it's pure raw speed. He's an incredible stallion and a great loss,"

Moore said he felt any thought of track bias was tempo related.

"The ground is probably even everywhere. I wouldn't read too much into the track or the draw, it's just where the pace was on the first couple of days," Moore said.

"The pace was the other side today and that's the difference."