Ancient Wisdom was cut to 6/1 second favourite for next year's Epsom Derby with Paddy Power following a dominant display in the delayed Group 1 Futurity Trophy.
There was an unexpected delay to the beginning of the final Group 1 of the British Flat season after the Aidan O'Brien-trained Battle Cry reared in the stalls, but following veterinary inspection, a reduced field of seven were ready to fight it out in testing conditions on Doncaster's Town Moor.
The pace looked a sensible one in deep ground with the well-backed and supplemented 5/4 favourite, Ancient Wisdom always towards the fore under William Buick after a swift exit from the stalls. All seven runners opted to race away from the stands rail up the centre of the track and Ancient Wisdom looked to have a serious race on his hands as both Dancing Gemini and Devil's Point laid down a stern challenge with three furlongs to run.
However, following some steady early fractions Buick's mount had plenty left up his sleeve and battled back to regain the initiative with a couple of furlongs left to travel. The son of Dubawi, who created a sizeable impression when winning the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket last time, continued to grind it out in testing conditions and pulled clear in fine style to eventually prevail by a commanding one and three-quarter lengths.
Devil's Point stuck to his task well to fill the runner-up position with course and distance debut winner God's Window staying on nicely to finish a further head behind in third.
Charlie Appleby's Ancient Wisdom was cut to 6/1 from 12/1 by Paddy Power for the Epsom Derby following his impressive display, with the Aidan O'Brien-trained superstar juvenile City Of Troy remaining the 9/4 market leader for Classic success next June.
Both Battle Cry and Ben Curtis were thankfully able to walk away from the nasty incident that led to a fifteen-minute delay.
William Buick, who was winning the Group 1 prize for the first time, said: "I've had a few goes at this and never been able to win it, so I'm delighted to win it this year.
"I was delighted it was on, the talk of it being abandoned earlier in the week wasn't great, but they've done a great job. The ground is very soft, but we're racing on it, and this is a very important race for next year.
"I was delighted with Ancient Wisdom. He put in a big performance only two weeks ago at Newmarket and Charlie and the team were very happy to supplement him for today.
"The plan wasn't necessarily to make the running, but it fell right, he pricked his ears and he's just a horse who is very uncomplicated. That goes a long way in this ground.
"You go through the list of two-year-olds that have won this race, and it bodes well for next year. I'm very much looking forward to him and delighted with what he did there."
Alex Merriam, assistant trainer to Charlie Appleby, said: "Charlie purposely gave him a break through the summer to come back for the Autumn Stakes. He was very pleased with the way he came out of that, and he showed he handled the soft ground, so I think Charlie just thought why not give him a shot?
"I think we were probably expecting to follow the Aidan O'Brien horse [Battle Cry], so it was slightly Plan B to make the running, but Will gave him a great ride. They got racing a long way out, but Will didn't panic, he said it took him a while to get through the gears but once he got rolling, he saw it out well.
"It's nice to have a horse to look forward to for next year."
It was a first Group 1 success for the Appleby team since the recently retired Modern Games landed the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury back in May.
Merriam added: "It's been a bit bleak, but it's nice to see we've got some nice two-year-olds for next season. We can go into the winter dreaming anyway."
Looking towards next season Merriam said: "It was obviously very soft ground out there and he lengthened rather than quickened.
"It's a long old winter so we'll see where we are. It looks like there'll be quite a good one to beat in the Guineas [City Of Troy]! We'll leave that to Charlie and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to decide."
Main market rival Diego Velazquez tracked the eventual winner throughout much of the mile contest but faded quickly out of contention when the pace began to lift.
O'Brien, who was bidding to win the race for a fourth-consecutive year, said: "There were a few incidents, wasn't there? When horses get upset like that in the stalls, their heart can go through the roof and usually it goes out the window then.
"He [Diego Velazquez] got upset after what happened to the other fellow. When that happens, their heart rate can go through the roof, and they can only do that once.
"That's the way it is. Take nothing away from the winner."
David Menuisier, trainer of the runner-up Devil's Point, said: "I'm delighted. He came to win the race and then he kind of flattened out and maybe stayed on a bit, but it's a Group 1 and to finish second in a Group 1 is absolutely marvellous.
"He was travelling absolutely great on the ground. We'll speak to Oisin [Murphy] and see what he thinks, but he's pretty special really."
