Mill Stream came with a late rattle to deny Shouldvebeenaring in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes at York on Wednesday.
The reopposing Washington Heights beat the 4/1 market leader in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April, and it looked as though Kevin Ryan's charge would land the spoils once more at the furlong pole.
However, the closers soon began to loom and Diligent Harry, Shouldvebeenaring and Mill Stream all swallowed up the longtime leaders in the closing stages. The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Mill Stream, who looked in trouble when under pressure from an early stage, would come out on top this time by a nose with Richard Hannon's Shouldvebeenaring back in second. There was a further neck to the Clive Cox-trained Diligent Harry in third.
There was a nasty incident where Tiber Flow, who looked to clip heels with Shouldvebeenaring, came down but both horse and rider walked away unscathed.
"He's a tough, brave horse and he's come on a lot since (finishing second in) the Abernant but he's only just won," said Jane Chapple-Hyam.
"I think he's pretty versatile, he goes on any ground. It was soft when he won in France last year twice but quick in the Abernant.
Mill Stream was made 8/1 favourite for the 8-1 favourite from 14-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, with his trainer keen to head to the Royal Meeting should owner Peter Harris be in agreement.
She added: "I'd like to go to Ascot on Saturday (Jubilee), but I'll see what Mr Harris wants to do.
"Mr Harris has landed me with some nice horses and I'm in a lucky position, I've got 18 for him so it's nice to win a big race for him and we've got Rolica, the filly, to look forward to and some colts coming through.
"I think he's good enough to run in the Jubilee, I'd like to see the splits as it's on the slow side of good today but he's against older horses.
"Mr Harris is very easy to deal with, he comes up every Saturday morning. He was out of the game for 15 years but now he's in big. His daughter Alison has her horses with Mr (James) Fanshawe."
Chapple-Hyam continued: "I wasn't sure if we'd won, and I appreciate they couldn't show the replay because of the faller but thankfully Tom and the horse look OK."
The winning jockey William Buick added: "I got carried left a little bit, but he really put his head out and I was delighted he got the verdict.
"He's been knocking on the door a few times, hopefully, this is his year as three-year-olds can struggle when sprinting, he could have a big year ahead of him."
