The Aidan O'Brien-trained Paddington repelled the late thrust of his main market rival Emily Upjohn in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown to take his career tally to six wins in seven career outings.
As with so many future Ballydoyle stars, Paddington was beaten on debut, but his unbeaten run now includes the Eclipse and Group One victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh and the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Stepping up in trip to 10 furlongs for the first time, the three-year-old son of Siyouni stalked outsider West Wind Blows for much of the contest before hitting the front with two furlongs to run.
Coronation Cup heroine Emily Upjohn, who was dropping back in distance and conceding 7lbs to her younger rival, was pulled out and delivered for her challenge by William Buick and closed all the way to the line.
However, Ryan Moore's mount never looked like being reeled in, despite his awkward head carriage.
The 8-11 favourite's official winning margin at the line was half a length and the victory provided O'Brien with a record-breaking seventh success in the contest.
West Wind Blows faded to third, with Dubai Honour never landing a blow back in fourth.
WHAT A DUEL! 👏
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) July 8, 2023
PADDINGTON wins the @coral-Eclipse holding off a gutsy EMILY UPJOHN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/ErcSjFGg3h
The victorious trainer admitted he had his reservations before the race.
"I always have doubts about everything really and I never expect anything to happen," O'Brien said.
"There are so many different things that can happen. There were four horses in the race and any one of them could win.
"So, that’s the way we approach every race. We do the best we can with all the horses and have them as well as we can and communicate the best we can with each other.
"We accept the result, win lose or draw. That’s the way we approach every race.
"Obviously, I’m always worried and no horse wins until they have passed the winning post, but Ryan was very confident. I don’t think he went for his stick at all."
O’Brien felt Emily Upjohn had proved a worthy adversary in defeat.
He said: "He (Paddington) just got there a little bit earlier than he (Moore) wanted and he just waited a bit. I just suppose his pace took him there and he didn’t break his rhythm and that was 100% the right thing to do.
"When you are meeting a filly like that, she wasn’t going to lie down easily and obviously it would have been perfect for her, because she had a target to take her there.
"We knew how good she was and we wouldn’t underestimate her in any way."
Paddington could now drop back to a mile again for the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on 2 August.
O’Brien added: "The plan after Ascot was to go straight to Goodwood and just because he’d done so well and John (Magnier) was convinced he would get it (10 furlongs) on pedigree, and Ryan was very happy as well, so that’s why we decided to come here.
"I would imagine if everything was well, there’s a good chance he would end up going to Goodwood. He hit the gates quicker than ever and Ryan said he travelled like a dream and his travel just took him there.
"I’d say there is a very good chance, but we will wait seven to 10 days to see what the lads really want to do."
