Stradivarius became only the third horse to win three successive Ascot Gold Cups, winning Thursday's Royal Ascot showpiece in stunning style under Frankie Dettori. Dettori and Stradivarius made light of the soft ground he supposedly despises to storm clear of long-time pacesetter Nayef Road to emulate Sagaro and Yeats. Dettori punched the air in delight several times and performed a trademark flying dismount from the John Gosden-trained superstar. pi/nr