GOLD CUP 1 Westerner (O Peslier) 7-4f 2 Distinction (JP Murtagh) 33-1 3 Vinnie Roe (PJ Smullen) 9-2 Day three round-up

The well-backed French challenger travelled well throughout and was brought to the front in the final furlong by jockey Olivier Peslier.

The Elie Lellouche-trained six-year-old held on for victory by a neck from 33-1 shot Distinction, who was ridden by Johnny Murtagh.

Irish challenger Vinnie Roe was five lengths further back in third.

Distinction went for home with three furlongs to run, but Peslier never panicked and moved well to challenge at the right time.

Westerner picked up the pace at the right time for a popular victory.

He is a wonderful horse Westerner's owner Alec Wildenstein

Victorious owner Alec Wildenstein admitted that it was an emotional success for him.

"He is a wonderful horse but I was too worried to watch the race from the track," he said.

"I watched the race on television and I was concerned by the slow pace early on but he has done everything we have asked of him."

Peslier added: "I did not plan to be too far back, but in the middle, and to stay inside. When I got my position I knew not to move.

"I waited a minute. He has a good turn of foot, but the second was doing well, too, and we had a fight with him."

Westerner is the first French-trained winner of Royal Ascot's feature race since Sagaro completed a hat-trick of victories in 1977.