THE colours of the Aga Khan returned to a British winner's circle for the first time in six years when Mandilak scored at Yarmouth yesterday.

The winner was one of a batch of 12 two-year-olds the Aga Khan, sent to Luca Cumani this year at the end of his self-imposed exile following his dissatisfaction over Jockey Club drug-testing procedures in the wake of the disqualification of his 1989 Oaks winner Aliysa.

Mandilak was the path finder for the Aga Khan's British-trained battalion when he made his debut at Ascot last month. But the son of El Gran Senor disappointed.

In the Ranworth Maiden the bay colt knew what was required and came with a strong late run under Oscar Urbina in the final furlong to beat Street General by a length.

Cumani, who trained Kahyasi to win the Derby for the Aga Khan in 1988 said: "Its marvellous to see these colours win again. It's been a long wait but it's great to be back in business. We have had to wait six years.

"I've had a dozen two-year-olds sent to me by the Aga Khan but most are bred to stay and be three-year-olds. They are slow maturing types and the firm ground this summer didn't help.

"Mandilak jumped a path at Ascot and never took any interest after that. I was expecting a much better performance from him today."