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Luca Cumani's fast-improving stayer Mizzou finished best to make a winning reappearance in the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.
After getting off the mark at the second attempt at Pontefract last July, the four-year-old son of Galileo claimed handicap wins at Doncaster and Haydock before being narrowly denied on his final start of 2014 in the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at this venue in October.
Stepping up in class and distance on his return, Mizzou travelled sweetly in the hands of William Buick and was nudged along to close down the leaders from the home turn. The pacesetting and race-fit Forever Now would not go down without a fight, while Vent De Force was being produced with a challenge before being hampered.
However, Mizzou was the winner on merit, passing the post two lengths clear, with Vent De Force beating Forever Now to the runner-up spot. Favourite Pallasator was ridden prominently from the outset but stopped quickly in the straight as though something was amiss.
Paddy Power cut Mizzou to 8-1 from 20-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, with Vent De Force trimmed to 16-1 from 50s.
After seeing Mizzou break the two-mile track record, the winning trainer's wife, Sara Cumani, said: "He's a lovely horse and Luca has always had a lot of faith in him. He's been telling everyone over the winter that this is his Ascot Gold Cup horse.
"William (Buick) said he would not want the ground any livelier. They went a decent a pace and that suited him. He's a really kind, genuine, honest horse. He will go to Sandown now for the Henry II Stakes and then to the Gold Cup."
Log Out Island put in an eyecatching display to make his racecourse debut a winning one with a clear-cut success in the Times+ Conditions Stakes.
Bounced out straight into the lead by Richard Hughes, the 9-2 shot was quickly pursued by Buratino during the early stages of the five-furlong contest.
After seeing off the Chelmsford City maiden winner, the Richard Hannon-trained runner continued to find plenty from the front to eventually cross the line four and a half lengths clear of runner-up Handytalk.
Hannon said: "He is a lovely colt and is the first two-year-old we have really liked. He will go for something like the National Stakes, then come back for Royal Ascot - for which race I do not know. He has certainly shown up well at home and he will improve for that. It looks like six furlongs won't be a problem."
It was a fourth win in the race since 2010 for the Hannon yard.
Sperry continued the fine run of in-form trainer John Gosden when coming with a late burst to land the Retraining Of Racehorses & Horseback UK EBF Stallions Stakes.
A switch of tactics saw Shagah take the field along early on in the mile contest under Frankie Dettori, with the eventual winner held up by James Doyle.
Passing the two-furlong marker, the handily-ridden Montalcino took command up front, but she was quickly passed by both Sperry and Touchline. After a final-furlong tussle it was the 4-1 chance who eventually emerged victorious by a length and a quarter from Touchline.
Gosden said: "In fairness she was a little bit weak last year, but she had worked well in the run up to this. I was hoping for a big run and she was given a nice ride by James.
"We did put her in the Coronation which is a big dream, but at least we know she handles the track."
