Kevin Ryan became the winning-most trainer of the Group 3 Abernant Stakes when Washington Heights dug deep on the Rowley Mile.
The Kevin Ryan-trained four-year-old spent the majority of his time in handicap company last season before going on to land a Listed event over six furlongs in Sweden.
An official rating of 104 gave him something to find with the market principles in this warm-looking Group 3 prize, but Washington Heights quickly proved he was up to group-class standard with a determined success.
Always towards the fore under Tom Eaves, the challengers were certainly close enough if good enough but Kevin Ryan's challenger continued to find under pressure, eventually staying on for a three-quarter length victory over the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Mill Stream.
Karl Burke's Spycatcher ran on well towards the near side to finish back in third.
Cosmo Charlton, representing the winning owners, Hambleton Racing Ltd, said of the 33/1 winner: "We've got quite a few of the syndicate here today and everyone was really excited.
"He's done well over the winter and was impressive over in Sweden last year so we were hoping he was going to run above his odds today.
"He's a horse who tried very hard in his races and he's run loads of really good races for us. It was a strong Group Three today and almost a Group Two on paper and he just has a tremendous attitude and Tom just said he tries very hard for you and digs deep. I sort of knew he had won a furlong out, to be honest.
"Tom has given him a great ride from the front and has got the job done and he looks like a sprinter to follow for the season.
"Kevin wins this race a lot and is a fantastic trainer of fast horses and it looks like he's bought another really nice one for us. The owners have really bonded with him and to come here and win in Group company, hopefully, there are exciting things ahead.
"He has options and he's in the Duke Of York and the Greenlands. They have great prize-money and will be fun days out and the dream is very much alive with this horse about where he could take us in the future."
