Postponed capitalised on Golden Horn’s absence to see off Eagle Top in a thrilling finish to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
The Luca Cumani-trained 6-1 shot got the verdict on the nod under Andrea Atzeni from John Gosden's charge after the pair had treated racegoers to a thrilling climax to the Britain’s premier midsummer Group One.
Eagle Top's stablemate Romsdal set a strong pace, with Snow Sky and Postponed close up.
Postponed went on, but Eagle Top (5-2 favourite) drew alongside and briefly took a narrow lead.
However, Cumani's inmate fought back and had his head down right on the line to prevail by a nose.
Frankie Dettori switched to Eagle Top following the late defection of the Investec Derby and Coral-Eclipse hero Golden Horn due to the rain-softened ground.
Atzeni said: "Fair play to the owner, if that was me I would never have run him on that ground.
"He stays well and he's got a big heart.
"I thought Frankie was going to get to me, but this fellow doesn't give up.
"Things haven't gone his way this year, but it's now paid off.
"What a great day."
Cumani said: "It was a fantastic race. Andrea gave him a peach of a ride.
"The horse was ready for a mile and a half, he just wanted a good pace.
"I wasn't sure about the ground - I didn't know whether he could handle it.
"They were locked together in battle and I didn't know who had won.
"I'm naturally a pessimist and I'd prefer to be surprised favourably, rather than unfavourably."
Besharah (7-4 favourite) was rewarded for her consistency when registering a Pattern-race success at the third attempt in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes.
The William Haggas-trained filly was an authoritative winner of this Group Three heat following placed efforts in both the Queen Mary and Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.
Besharah was always travelling well for Pat Cosgrave and went into the lead with the minimum of fuss to score by three lengths from Great Page.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Besharah's owner, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: "We were obviously a bit concerned about the ground because she had never raced on it before and we didn't know if she would go through it.
"I imagine we will go to York for the Lowther then on to the Cheveley Park."
There was a close finish to the Gigaset International Stakes, with Heaven's Guest (7-1) just hanging on for apprentice Jack Garritty.
Richard Fahey's seasoned campaigner took three lengths out of the field when going two furlongs out in this valuable handicap, but Balty Boys got to within a head at the line.
Fahey, speaking from York, said: "He's just a true professional horse by a great sire in Dark Angel.
"He's been a wonderful horse."
Sixth Sense (7-4 favourite) showed his appreciation for a step back up in trip after continuing trainer Mark Johnston's hot streak with a front-running success in the Titanic Belfast Winkfield Stakes.
Quickly out of the stalls, the son of Shamardal veered left late on, but had more than enough in hand to hold off Platitude by a length and a quarter under William Buick.
Johnston said: "He has come back to Listed class and won, and the next stage would be to step him back up again.
"I would have thought, long term, he would be one for the Royal Lodge but I have not really thought much beyond this."
Portage (5-1) made a rewarding journey from Ireland with victory in the Weatherbys Private Banking Handicap to give Buick a double.
The Mick Halford-trained three-year-old gained compensation for a luckless outing in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot when beating long-time leader Mutasayyid by a length and a quarter.
Halford said: "He will come on plenty for that and be better on better ground.
"He will have no problems stepping up another two furlongs."
Peril (13-8 favourite), ridden by Serena Brotherton, justified strong support to win the Longines Handicap Ladies' Race for first-season trainer Simon Crisford.
Crisford said: "We fancied him on this ground and he was drawn well so it all slotted into place nicely.
"He is a very straightforward horse who won well at Wolverhampton so we thought we would take our chance here."
Duretto (2-1) was given a confident ride by Jim Crowley to take the Canisbay Bloodstock Handicap by three lengths for trainer Andrew Balding, who earlier sent out Tullius to win the Group Two Sky Bet Stakes at York.
Balding said: "There are a couple of nice three-year-old-only handicaps he could go for - one is back here and the other is at Newmarket."
