Kessaar (10/3) was an emphatic winner of the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.
Winner of the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton last time, the son of Kodiac looked to be in trouble two furlongs out as True Mason (4/1) sauntered to the head of affairs.
However Dettori was able to cover the move and was back in control at the furlong marker, his willing partner pullung two-and-three-quarter lengths clear of his only serious rival.
3/1 favourite Shine So Bright came through for third but was a further two-and-a-quarter lengths adrift.
Gosden said: "I thought he rode a very good race. The second is a lovely horse, but this guy handled the ground. We were worried about the ground, but he did it well. If you hit the ridges wrong at Ripon you lose your rhythm and stride and the horse never got balanced (when sixth in Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy).
"He has won a Group Three last time and a Group Two this time, so we will have to go to a Group One now, which is the next step, but it's a big step. The Criterium International could be next at Saint-Cloud. It use to be a mile, but they dropped it to seven, so we are all going to Paris."
A drop back in both class and distance could be on the cards for the runner-up, according to trainer Karl Burke.
He said: "Ben (Curtis) said he loved the ground, travelled beautifully and relaxed in it. He didn't want to go too soon. He came to win his race, he picked up but didn't pick up well enough, then petered out in the last 100 yards.
"I half had it in my mind to back him up in the Middle Park, but I think it will be a similar story, that we would get outstayed. So maybe we will go to the Cornwallis. If it comes up slow a stiff five will be absolutely perfect for him."
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