Big Orange outbattled his rivals to claim a thrilling victory in the Qatar Goodwood Cup at the Sussex track.
Vive Ma Fille cut out the early pace under Silvestre de Sousa with the Michael Bell-trained Big Orange settled on her heels while Quest For More sat handy in third.
The former was still in front with three-quarters of a mile to run with the field stretched out behind, but Big Orange was poised to challenge on the outside along with Quest For More.
Vive Ma Fille's run eventually came to an end with around a furlong to run, leaving Big Orange and Quest For More in the front rank and looking likely to battle it out.
However, Ascot Gold Cup hero Trip To Paris launched a late lunge on the inside making it a pulsating three-way finish, with Big Orange seemingly headed only to battle back in the shadow of the post.
The three flashed over the line together, with Big Orange shading it by a neck for Jamie Spencer with Quest For More in second, a short head in front of Trip To Paris, who ran blinder under his penalty.
Spencer said: "He's very tough and honest and loves this ground.
"Silvestre (on Vive Ma Fille) was frying me early on and I was worried I was expending too much, but he was tough when I needed him to be.
"He can only get stronger as the year goes on."
Bell was quick to praise Spencer's efforts in the saddle and is now looking towards the Melbourne Cup in November for his charge, who was following his surprise success in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting.
He said: "He is an absolute star, this horse. He's so genuine and is a pleasure to train. I can't sing his praises highly enough.
"He was officially the highest-rated horse in the race so if he stayed, he could win it and Jamie gave him an absolutely masterful ride. He just got a breather into him, it was a very good ride and a very good horse. I'm thrilled.
"Bill (Gredley, owner) is so enthusiastic, he knows his horses inside out. When you breed them, I think it's extra special . Any owner-breeder knows that when they welcome in the horses they've raised and grazed at home, it just makes it extra special.
"I think Melbourne is the plan. He obviously stays two miles and he's got the boot to win a Group Two over a mile and a half, so I would say he ticks a lot of the boxes."
Paddy Power gave Big Orange a 25-1 quote for Melbourne.
Roger Charlton was delighted with the effort of his Northumberland Plate hero Quest For More.
He said: "It was a great race with three horses crossing the line together like that, I'm very proud of him.
When you win two valuable races like he has already this year, anything else is a bonus and he's picked up another 75,000 there.
"If he's OK I think we'll go for the Ebor next, it seems the sensible thing to do.
"There's obviously the race on Champions Day at Ascot, but George (Baker) felt that ground wasn't quite quick enough today, so if that's the case it's unlikely to suit in October.
"I don't think he's a Melbourne Cup horse, as he doesn't have enough speed."
Trip To Paris could clash with the winner in Australia, with Ed Dunlop nominating the 'race that stops a nation' as a possible target.
He said: "I think the track and the penalty probably (beat us).
"I just wonder whether he did hit the front and then he just wandered around a little bit which can happen at Goodwood - obviously at Ascot he had the rail to run up.
"I don't know if he was in front, he looked in front, but then he came back to join the other horses.
"He is only four and can only get better.
"I will have to ask the owners, but they are very keen to go to Melbourne and it will be interesting to see what weight Mr Bell's horse has going to Melbourne as well. We could well go there, we'll see but whether it's a year too soon, I don't know, but it will be considered."
