Fox too smart in Bentinck contest
He was ridden by Oisin Murphy as an 11-4 chance for this step up in calibre, and proved himself more than up to the task with an easy five-and-a-half-length triumph.
Anna-Lisa Balding, wife of Andrew, said: 'He's a lovely horse, he's done nothing but improve.
'It was lovely to see him go on that ground today, he has got that action so we were sure he would do, but until they do it you never know.
'He's done it really well, I don't think I've enjoyed watching a race more and the jockey was very complimentary when he got off.'
Kyle Of Lochalsh cantered away with the Coral Goodwood Handicap for Hughie Morrison in another wide-margin win for Murphy.
The five-year-old was fourth in the contest last year and returned on the same mark to start a 5-1 shot.
He made light work of the staying contest against 11 rivals, navigating a flag start to enjoy an easy passage throughout the two-and-a-half-mile trip ahead of a nine-and-half-length victory.
Charlie Harris, assistant to Morrison, said: 'We've been waiting and waiting for the cut in the ground and what also helped today is that they went a decent pace.
'Now there are lots of good options, especially in France, where we will look at races like the Prix Royal-Oak.
'He didn't win until he was three and is quite lightly raced for a five-year-old.'
Murphy also struck gold on Seagulls Eleven in the Thoroughbred Stakes to make it a treble on the day.
The Hawes & Curtis Nursery Handicap then went the way of Hugo Palmer's Ardisia, who struck at 20-1 under David Probert to defeat 9-4 favourite Shaman Champion.
Push The Limit obliged favourite backers in the closing Coral Pipped At The Post Winners Handicap, triumphing for Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch as a 5-2 chance.
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Wales Online
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- Wales Online
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Wales Online
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