Willie Mullins' Vauban repelled the late thrust of Al Nayyir to open his account for the season in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York.
The 2022 Triumph Hurdle winner has reverted to the Flat with notable success over the past couple of seasons, winning at Royal Ascot and at Group Three level last summer before disappointing as a hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup in November.
He returned this term with a runner-up finish to Giavellotto in the Yorkshire Cup in May and travelled like a possible winner of the Gold Cup in June before his stamina ebbed away in the latter stages.
The six-year-old again let down favourite backers in last month's Curragh Cup, but bounced back to his best on the Knavesmire to tee himself up for a potential return to Australia later in the year.
After being settled in midfield for much of the two-mile contest, the Mullins-trained chestnut was travelling better than anything racing inside the three final furlongs and soon quickened up smartly to grab the lead in the hands of William Buick.
With market principals Point Lonsdale and Gregory weakening out of contention after forcing the pace, 11-2 chance Vauban looked home for all money, but Al Nayyir finished with a real rattle on his first start for Tom Clover and was just a short head behind at the line.
Elsewhere, Bradsell ran out a brilliant winner of the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.
Third 12 months ago off the back of winning the King's Stand at Royal Ascot, Archie Watson's colt has endured an interrupted campaign this season, not making his reappearance until earlier this month.
However, having proved his considerable sprinting ability remains very much intact with an impressive comeback victory in a Listed event at Deauville, the son of Tasleet was well-backed at 3-1 for his return to Group One level and proved much the best in the hands of Hollie Doyle.
After getting a perfect lead into the race on the far side of the track by the rapid Czech raider Ponntos, Bradsell took over travelling strongly racing inside the two-furlong marker, with Doyle taking a look across the course to see how her rivals were faring.
She will certainly have liked what she saw, as it was quickly obvious Bradsell was in full control and he was good value for the winning margin of three-quarters of a length.
The consistent Believing finished with gusto closest to the stands rail to fill the runner-up spot, with Starlust and the Australian 6-4 favourite Asfoora close up in third and fourth respectively.
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