Spanish Mission justified 6/4 favouritism with an authoritative display in the bet365 Doncaster Cup.
William Buck was in the saddle aboard the four-year-old who was making it two from two for new trainer Andrew Balding.
He was keen through the early stages but had plenty in reserve and, after going on inside the final two furlongs, saw the race out well.
At the line he was three lengths clear of Selino and Betfair and Paddy Power cut him to 8/1 from 12s for the QIPCO Long Distance Cup at Ascot next month.
Balding added: “That is really the only race for him if he is going to run again this year, but the ground might have gone too soft for him by then, so we’ll see.
“I’m just delighted with his performance today and thrilled to have a horse like him in the yard.”
Buick said: “He was over-racing at stages, not the whole way, but just at stages. Two miles two is a long way, but he was never really doing too much.
“He was always going to come into the race easily – it was just whether he’d see it out, and he did see it out very well.
“He’s got that bit of class against these stayers, that turn of foot. That together with his stamina is a good combination.
“I’m sure all those races will be on his radar. Who knows – potentially next year, he might even make up into a Gold Cup horse. Connections will have a chat – and in that staying division, he’s going to be a lively contender.”
