PAUL and Oliver Cole created a piece of Royal Ascot history as they became the first training partnership to saddle a winner at the meeting.

The duo's Whatcombe stables, near Wantage, struck with Highland Chief in the Golden Gates Handicap, the opening event on day three at the Berkshire track.

Partnered by Rossa Ryan, the 20-1 chance swooped late in the ten-furlong heat to bag a narrow success over Tritonic.

The victory proved extra poignant for the pair, with Paul missing the race due to attending his best friend's funeral.

Oliver Cole said: "Unfortunately dad is at his best friend's funeral today, so that is why he didn't come.

"We had a very good friend called Ben Leigh and he died, unfortunately I couldn't go (to the funeral).

"He has gone, but I did say to him today I think we will get an Ascot winner."

He added: "The horse has always been very good. He didn't show anything at Newmarket and we were all scratching our heads.

"Rossa has been coming in to ride him twice a week and has ridden him in all his work.

"The last two weeks the horse has been switched on and come to himself. He's a bit of a tricky character, but he's a happy horse.

"He won on soft ground at Newbury and it could be an advantage to him."