Tom Clover's Al Nayyir challenged last under William Buick but the pair timed their effort to perfection in the Group 2 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.
The field went a good gallop in the two-mile contest and coming down into the final quarter-mile it looked a shootout between Illinois, Caballo De Mar and Mount Atlas, with Al Nayyir under strong pressure in behind.
However, it was all change late on as stamina kicked in for Al Nayyir and as Buick darted for the inside it soon became clear he was going to overhaul Illinois.
That he did, to the tune of a length, the winner returning at 9/1 with Illinois runner-up at 13/2 and the strong-travelling Mount Atlas third at 4/1.
Caballo De Mar couldn't maintain his effort and the 7/4 favourite dropped out of the places while the well-fancied Amiloc (100/30) was most disappointing in the rear.
Buick said: "It's the first time I've ridden him and he did hit a flat spot and Tom [Clover] did tell me beforehand that he does do that.
"It felt like we went a nice pace and then we got racing very early and he probably just ended up picking up the pieces towards the end a little bit.
"Brilliant for Tom and the team and this horse has been to Meydan and ran good in races all year here so he deserved that one."
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Clover said: “They got racing a long way out and he was off the bridle early, but he finds for pressure. William gave him a fantastic ride.
“I’ve been in front plenty of times at York and been done on the line, so it’s great. He who challenges last wins! He ground it out great, he’s a lovely horse to have in the yard.
“He favours that left-hand lead, he’s slightly better left-handed. At eight-years-young we’ll look after him. I’d imagine he’ll go out to Dubai, whether he’ll have one more run here I’m not sure. We’ll enjoy today.”
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