Star Of Seville scrambled home to hand trainer John Gosden a fourth win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.
Just like when scoring on her reappearance at Newbury, the daughter of Duke Of Marmalade was sent straight into the lead of the mile-and-a-quarter contest by Frankie Dettori.
As the race entered the closing stages, 4-6 favourite looked to have put the race to bed when kicking a couple of lengths clear from the front.
But just as Star Of Seville appeared to have done enough, Aidan O'Brien's Together Forever, who was giving away 4lb to her rivals, started to eat up the ground inside the final furlong and a half under a determined Ryan Moore.
The task proved to be just beyond last year's Fillies' Mile winner, with Star Of Seville clinging on to victory by a head, securing her ticket to the Investec Oaks on 5 June.
Dettori said: "I think she just lost concentration and I was waiting for the others a bit. I was worried as well, but then she pulled her neck out again. Even though she is good, she is a bit quirky, like most good ones are.
"I am sure she will get a mile and a half, as she is very good and very talented.
"There is plenty to come. John has only used this as a prep race - the big one comes in three weeks' time."
MV Magnier, speaking on behalf of connections of Together Forever, said: "She will hopefully come on for the run, but she has run very well.
"Ryan said he thinks she will have no problems staying further. She was giving the winner 4lb. We will get her home first and see how she is before deciding if we go to the Oaks."
