An appearance at Chester's May meeting looks likely for Foxes Tales after he landed the Unibet More Extra Place Races Magnolia Stakes in impressive style at Kempton on Saturday.
Following early success in the Group Three Rose Of Lancaster at Haydock, the Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old lost his way somewhat last term, before proving his well-being with a smart third to subsequent Dubai Turf winner Lord North in the Winter Derby at Lingfield in February.
The pace was good from the outset and William Buick appeared keen to catch his six rivals napping aboard Secret State – kicking for home aboard last season's King George V Handicap winner with over two furlongs still to run.
However, Oisin Murphy had the ideal stalking pitch on Foxes Tales and soon had the Charlie Appleby runner in his sights.
The gelded son of Zoffany drew readily upsides and powered clear for a fourth career-win, scoring by three lengths to justify his 5/2 favourite tag.
Rogue Millennium (33/1) stayed on well for second, with Phantom Flight, who failed to get a run when Buick kicked, a further half length back in third.
Balding said: "He had a bit of wide trip in the Winter Derby but he ran well and Lord North went and franked the form in Dubai, so we were pretty hopeful today.
"He is definitely more focused for being gelded and he is back to the level of form he was showing as a three-year-old.
"I think last year he was just thinking about things, but he has been gelded and has had a good winter off and hopefully he will have a good season.
"It was either he had to win a Group One last season or have him gelded and have him as a racehorse this season and we have him as a racehorse.
"He has done it well and to the eye it was quite impressive."
Balding is now eyeing a return to Pattern class, adding: "I think we will probably go to Chester now for the Huxley Stakes (May 12).
"He won a Group Three as a three-year-old and I can't see why he can't win at Group-race level again."
The trainer and jockey made it a double on the card, when Grenham Bay wore down Fix You in a thrilling finish to the six-furlong Unibet More Boosts In More Races Restricted Novice Stakes.
Murphy went on to record his treble as Dora Penny recorded a tenth career success, holding off the lare challenge of Cruise, who had a luckless passage in the six-furlong Fillies' Handicap.
