Boiling Point built on a reappearance second to land the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
A novice winner at Thirsk as a juvenile, Boiling Point showed a liking for the Rowley Mile when a narrow second in the Somerville Stakes in September. He returned after the winter break with a promising second behind Ten Bob Tony in a seven-furlong conditions event during the Craven meeting, with the winner set to take on the might of City Of Troy in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday.
After William Buick's win from the front aboard Noble Dynasty in the previous handicap, he attempted to employ the same tactics aboard Bold Style, setting a warm pace for a four-runner field. Queen of Zafeen cruised into contention with two furlongs to run and appeared to have the race in her hands, but Boiling Point continued to make gradual progression on the far side rail, edging out a narrow success for James Doyle and trainer Roger Varian.
"He nearly won a Group Three here at the end of last year (when the short-head runner-up in the Tattersalls Stakes)," said Varian.
"He has got away with it today, but he will be better on Good to Firm ground. He has looked like he needed every yard of it today.
"I need to speak his owner Sheikh Obaid but he has had two quick runs now and I would quite like to put him away and wait for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. The stiff seven furlongs there should suit him and I thought all through the winter that it could be the race for him.
"After that, we can decide whether we step him up to a mile. In my opinion, it looks like he would stay a mile."
