Tom Queally capped a memorable week in the saddle as he followed up last weekend's Coral-Eclipse success aboard the back-to-form Sans Frontieres in the Princess of Wales's sportingbet.com Stakes at Newmarket.
While Twice Over was a hot favourite to score at Sandown, the Jeremy Noseda-trained Sans Frontieres was widely disregarded after failing to find his best form following an injury last summer.
His three runs this spring were reflected in his 14-1 starting price, but he built on his Royal Ascot fourth to pull away and record his first win since late 2008 by two and a half lengths.
Tazeez forced the pace for much of the mile-and-a-half trip only for 11-8 favourite Spanish Moon to start breathing down his neck on his first British start for 15 months meeting the rising ground.
The market leader struggled to assert while at the same time Sans Frontieres was cannoning through the field.
The game was up once Queally took command and he pulled clear of the staying-on Red Wood with Tazeez weakening back to third and Spanish Moon taking fourth.
Noseda said: ‘He was injured prior to Royal Ascot last year and we didn't get him back until this spring.
‘He wasn't fit enough at the start of this season and that was the problem at Newmarket. I then shouldn't have run him at Chester as the ground was too soft and the track didn't suit.
‘He showed a glimmer that he was on the way back at Royal Ascot and his work has been better since.
‘I thought he could finish in the first three here, but I didn't think he could beat Spanish Moon - although if he didn't perform then we had as good a chance as anyone and it has worked out.
‘I'll have to go home and sit down. I didn't come here expecting to win so I hadn't looked beyond today, but I am delighted for Sir Robert (Ogden, owner) who has been a great supporter of the stable and it seems a long time since we had a Group winner together.’
Queally added: ‘The last day at Ascot there were signs of improvement and encouragement and that he was getting back on track.
‘Today he proved that and travelled strongly in the race.
‘I took my time because he can take a bit of a bite early on and I just wanted to get him on an even keel, but he picked up when it mattered and he stayed on all the way to the line.
‘He's had his problems in the past, but he's always had talent and he's a class horse who is back on track.’
Redwood was one place behind Sans Frontieres at Ascot and again found the four-year-old too strong.
His trainer Barry Hills said: ‘He didn't run his race at Ascot, but I knew he would run better here as I thought the track would suit him. As for his next race, I'm not sure at the moment.’
Tazeez was third behind Twice Over and Byword at Ascot and occupied the same place upped in trip.
His trainer John Gosden said: ‘He ran well. There are no excuses and he stayed the trip.’
