Richard Hughes landed his fourth winner of the week as he guided Big Audio to victory in the Chesham Stakes, the opening race on the final day of Royal Ascot 2009.
Hughes steered Free Agent to success in the race 12 months ago and after sending Richard Hannon's 22-1 charge clear in the closing stages he held on to repel the challenge of Emperor Claudius.
It was left to Honor In Peace to set the gallop and he did a reasonable job doing so against the stands rails, while Bikini Babe took the lead of the rest of the field, who were racing down the middle of the course.
Hughes had settled Big Audio towards the rear but he was always travelling well and through down his challenge on the outside to take it up at the furlong marker.
Beethoven looked the likely challenger from Ballydoyle, but Ryan Moore brought Emperor Claudius with a brilliant late run. Indeed, as Big Audio veered across the track it appeared as though Emperor Claudius would get up but Hughes held on to claim victory by a short head.
"He's quite lazy at home. He jumped quite well, but I thought they must be going too quick as we were 15 lengths off the leader at halfway," said Hughes.
"I tried to move up without finding trouble, and then we were left alone in front and he swerved in the last 100 yards. There was nothing I could do and luckily he didn't give the race away. If he'd had the rail he'd have been fine.
"He's a horse with a future and he's pretty raw at this stage."
Hannon added: "I was a bit worried about the ground as he got upset on the ground at Doncaster.
"We didn't think the extra furlong would be a problem and he has come good today.
"I thought Aidan's horse was going to come and do us on the stands side but the line came in time.
"You are often lucky to get one winner here so to have three is great."