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Sky Hunter ran out an authoritative winner of the Crimbourne Stud Foundation Stakes at Goodwood.
A winner at the Dubai Carnival in March of last year, the six-year-old was seen just twice more in 2015, including when down the field in the Melbourne Cup.
With a return to Australia potentially on his agenda, Saeed bin Suroor's charge made his first start since last year's effort at Flemington in the September Stakes at Kempton almost three weeks ago and having shaped with promise to finish third, he was 5-2 to get back on the winning trail in this Listed contest.
Epsom Icon took the five-strong field along for much of the 10-furlong journey and attempted to kick clear early from the home turn.
However, William Buick covered the move aboard Sky Hunter and after hitting the front inside the last three furlongs, the six-year-old galloped clear to score by three and a quarter lengths.
With Epsom Icon eventually weakening tamely, Tullius came through to finish second.
Mount Logan was the 4-6 favourite but after proving difficult to load at the start, he performed disappointingly and was ultimately well beaten in third.
Paddy Power cut Sky Hunter to 16-1 from 25-1 for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot, while he is 33-1 from 50-1 for the Melbourne Cup with the same firm.