Sporting a first-time visor, Steve Carson’s mount pulled nicely clear two furlongs out and found plenty to beat the 15-8 favourite Genki by a length and three-quarters.

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton said of the 9-2 winner: “I wasn’t sure if we would get in the Ayr Gold Cup so we thought we would come here, and now with a 5lb penalty he will definitely get in.

“He will have two weeks’ break now and he is a legend of a horse.”

Roger Charlton also indicated the Ayr Gold Cup would be next for the runner-up if he makes the cut, and the sponsors left him unchanged at 14-1.

The William Haggas-trained Alfathaa proved a cut above his rivals with a taking five-length victory in the Axminster Carpets EBF Maiden Stakes.

Slam was sent off the 1-2 favourite after his encouraging debut run in a Listed event at the Berkshire track last month, but he had to settle for second behind the 8-1 winner.

Haggas’ colt, who is entered in the Royal Lodge and Racing Post Trophy, was an encouraging third first time out and built on that effort by easily going clear well over a furlong out to earn a 50-1 quote for the 2000 Guineas with Stan James.

Haggas said: “This horse has some physical improvement to do and he will run again this season, but there is no plan.”

Gross Prophet took Tom Dascombe a step nearer to his seasonal target as he cut down Silver Wind to score by a neck in the James Cowper Nursery.

The second-season trainer is aiming for 20 winners this term and the Richard Kingscote-ridden 8-1 chance provided him with his 17th when getting up in the final strides.

Dascombe said: “He is as hard as nails. He looked beat there but he dug deep and he loves it.

“He will have an easy week now and then he will run again.”

Gulf Express came up against the unexposed Pippa Greene over the course and distance last time out but found a clear path to success this time in the Christal Construction Management Handicap.

Sir Michael Stoute’s 15-8 favourite was pulled out wide for a run by Ryan Moore as the field pounded up the home straight and went on to score by a length and three-quarters.

Viva La Flag (12-1) was sixth to Pippa Green in the same race when last seen but she proved a different proposition on a quicker surface and held Ronaldsay by a neck in the Newbury Groundstaff Fillies’ Handicap.

Trainer John Dunlop said: “It rained very heavily here last time and she didn’t enjoy the ground.

“This decent surface suited her much better and she has done it well. She is a nice filly.”

Kerrin McEvoy was stood down for one day (September 18) for careless riding aboard the third-placed Voliere.

Mister Right (9-2) was a game winner of the closing G4S Apprentice Handicap, with Ashley Hamblett denying his brother Jamie aboard Love Always by one length.