The Hughie Morrison-trained Quickthorn (7/4) capitalised on a drop in grade with a gutsy display to land the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes at York.
The likeable six-year-old routed current Ascot Gold Cup favourite Coltrane at this venue last year and was by no means disgraced when fourth in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup over course and distance last month.
Reunited with Jason Hart for the first time since runner-up in the 2021 Ebor, the Scottish-born rider made his intentions clear when sending Quickthorn straight to the front in the early stages. The six-year-old put his proven stamina to good use in the mile and three-quarter contest and galloped on strongly to deny a strong-travelling Israr by a length and a half.
Jim Crowley looked to cruise into contention approaching the two-furlong pole but with unproven stamina, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Israr (11/8 F) could never quite get on terms.
The front pair pulled well clear with Roger Varian's Divine Jewel finishing a further four lengths back in third.
Speaking with ITV Racing after the success jockey Jason Hart said: "To be fair, I was just delighted to get back on the horse. I was second on him in the Ebor a couple of years ago and I've not ridden him since so it was nice to get back on him.
He proved how much of a dower stayer he was there and having watched the second horses run [Israr] at Newbury I thought if I could get them on a stretch a bit, I'd maybe outstay them."
I just left him to it, to be honest. He's got a lovely big loping stride and covers plenty of ground. He doesn't expend too much energy which helps you."
When asked about his mount Highfield Princess in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday he added: "Really excited. She had her final blow yesterday and I'm really happy with her. I couldn't be happier with her."
The success ensured Quickthorn booked his ticket for York's Sky Bet Ebor handicap in August.
Quickthorn has been introduced at 12/1 by Sky Bet for their feature handicap at this track in August.
