Kenzai Warrior will head into the winter unbeaten after a gutsy display in the rearranged Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket.
Saved from Newbury's abandoned meeting last weekend, the Group Three attracted a competitive field - but it was Roger Teal's son of Karakontie who came out on top.
The win did not look likely for much of the race, with George Margarson's ultra consistent but still winless Ropey Guest hitting the front late on.
On meeting the rising ground Ropey Guest looked sure to break his maiden, but Kenzai Warrior (13-2), under Jack Mitchell, found plenty for pressure and surged home.
Teal's new star won by half a length, with Marcus Tregoning's Impressor another three-quarters of a length away in third.
"He was very brave. He's backed up what I thought he was - he's a very nice horse," said Teal.
"It was difficult conditions today and he had to show a lot of guts in the finish, because he looked beaten.
"I did say to Jack before the race that he'd already won over a mile, so he would be doing his best work at the finish and when he met the rising ground his stamina kicked in.
"We'll put him away for the winter now and depending on how quickly he comes to hand we could go for a trial first, but if not I'd be happy enough to go straight for the Guineas - he'll tell me."
