Alec Stewart pulled off one of the training performances of the season to produce Mutamam fit and ready to win the Group Two Princess of Wales's Pearl and Coutts Stake at Newmarket yesterday.

Plans for his reappearance are still in abeyance, but Coral Eurobet reacted sharply and slashed his price from 25 to 1 to 8 to 1 for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Ascot July 28th). Hills go 16 to 1 from 20 to 1.

Stewart needed a brave horse on his side, Mutamam having been very ill in the spring and having his first run since November 4th.

Richard Hills played his part, giving the six-year-old a splendid ride, sending him into the lead with two furlongs to run and keeping him going strongly to hold the challenge of Little Rock by one and a half lengths.

Stewart was quick to point out that it had been a team effort in the yard in getting Mutamam back on a racecourse, and added: "He had gut-ache in the spring, but it was not colic, it was a build up of infection."