Clive Cox's grey was given a very positive ride out in front from an early stage by Adam Kirby and still showed the way going well as the field swung for home.

The challengers mounted in his slipstream but Kirby still had plenty up his sleeve and kicked into a race-winning advantage with three furlongs to run.

He never looked like being caught and kept on strongly to score in some style by two lengths.

Zuider Zee (8-1) and the well-backed Dandino (2-1 favourite) kept on on best of the rest to fill the frame as the likes of Parlour Games and Blue Bajan could not land a serious blow.

Fitness boost

The winner had the benefit of a couple of outings under his belt in Dubai and his trainer said: "It looked like the ground was going to be right for him in Dubai but by the evening of the races it had come up a bit quick.

"We knew a bit of juice in the ground here would help and that was just the job.

"He's a Listed winner over two miles at Ascot and the obvious route would be the Sagaro Stakes back there (on May 2).''