Adaay and Limato look set for a fascinating fourth clash at Royal Ascot after the former gained revenge on his old rival in the 888sport Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
The Henry Candy-trained Limato brought a five-race unbeaten record into the newly-upgraded Group Two, a winning run which included a couple of comprehensive defeats of Adaay at Newbury last summer and Ascot last month.
Limato was unsurprisingly an even-money favourite to confirm his superiority over Haydock's straight six furlongs, but 6-1 shot Adaay, representing a trainer who can do little wrong at present in William Haggas, had not read the script.
Even-money favourite Limato was the first of the pair to show his hand, with Graham Lee producing the market leader on the far side of the track entering the final furlong.
However, with the patient tactics that saw him strike gold at Newbury a fortnight earlier once again employed, Adaay came with a well-timed challenge down the centre under Paul Hanagan and was good value for his one-length verdict.
Adaay was cut to 7-1 from 16-1 by Paddy Power for the inaugural Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting on 19 June, with Limato still favoured at 7-2 (from 9-4) despite his first reverse.
Speaking from Newmarket, Haggas said: "He won well. I'm really pleased.
"Limato beat him first time out, but our horses have been coming on for the run.
"He will now go for the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot."
His wife Maureen said: "We're thrilled with him. He's run a great race.
"Limato beat him first time out, but our horses have been coming on for the run"
"Whether we handled the ground better than Limato, who knows? I think they're two very good horses.
"It's going to be a strong race at Ascot with these two, Tiggy Wiggy and a few others."
Candy was pleased with Limato in defeat, but felt underfoot conditions may have blunted his acceleration.
He said: "He ran a great race. He's just not the same on that ground.
"We just have to hope it warms up before Ascot."
Adaay's victory was the highlight of a magnificent four-timer on the afternoon for Hanagan.
Miss Marjurie provided Berkshire-based trainer Denis Coakley with big-race success by swooping late in the 888sport Pinnacle Stakes.
A 7-1 shot following a Listed-race triumph at Goodwood at the start of the month, the five-year-old was waited with by the former champion jockey before flying home to get up and clinch Group Three honours by a short head from the Haggas-trained Wonderstruck.
Miss Marjurie looks set to return to Haydock for a tilt at the Lancashire Oaks on 4 July, as does the runner-up.
Coakley said: "She's won around Epsom and Goodwood, but I thought the long straight here would suit her.
"She was disappointing at three slightly. Things didn't go her way and she got a few bumps around.
"She's won her Group Three, so we might go for the Lancashire Oaks."
Hanagan also struck gold by a short head aboard the Richard Fahey-trained Jumeirah Glory (5-1) in the opening Download New Racing UK iPad App Handicap, before doubling up for his old employer on 15-8 favourite Don't Touch, who took his record to two from two in the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap.
Hanagan said of the latter: "He has a really good attitude and given he's still very green, there's so much more to come."
Cable Bay is set to take on some of the world's best milers at the Royal meeting after getting back on the winning trail in the Timeform Jury Stakes.
The Charlie Hills-trained four-year-old ran a huge race when a close fifth in the Lockinge at Newbury earlier in the month and proved that was no flash in the pan with a fine display under Jamie Spencer, seeing off Ascription by half a length.
Cable Bay will now test his powers against the likes of French star Solow, Hong Kong ace Able Friend and Lockinge hero Night Of Thunder in the Queen Anne Stakes, for which he is a best-priced 33-1.
Hills said: "I think we'll look at Royal Ascot for him now. The form's there.
"It (Queen Anne) looks a pretty tough race, but we're going there off a winning run and we'll give it a go I think."
There was a heart-warming result to the 888sport Achilles Stakes as Robert Cowell's veteran sprinter Kingsgate Native (11-1) defied his advancing years in the hands of Graham Lee.
Turning out just a week after failing to get the breaks in the Temple Stakes over the course and distance, the 10-year-old enjoyed a clearer passage this time and galloped all the way to the line to beat Out Do by a length and a quarter.
Matthew Sigsworth, bloodstock manager for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "It's an incredible achievement for a 10-year-old to be doing what he's been doing for so many years.
"He was luckless in the Temple, but he always goes well at Haydock if things go right for him and we're delighted."
"I think it's unlikely he'll go to Royal Ascot."
Hopes of a Hanagan five-timer with the Fahey-trained Mfiftythreedotcom in the last were dashed as the Walsh IBS Handicap went to 16-1 chance Gambino, trained by John David Riches and ridden by Connor Beasley.
