Sir Michael Stoute's Main Aim dug deep under a typically determined ride from Ryan Moore to a bag second successive victory in the Group Three Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock.
The rain-softened ground put an emphasis on stamina and after a prolonged battle up the straight, Main Aim just had the edge on Doncaster Rover and Dream Eater in the closing stages.
The 2-1 joint-favourite passed the line with three-quarters of a length to spare with the same distance back to the third.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for winning owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "He is in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot, but I don't think he will go there.
"He likes some cut in the ground which I don't think he would get there and we also have Showcasing in the race.
"He is better suited by six furlongs, so we will have to see. There will be other opportunities for him (Main Aim)."
Moore added: "He was on the outside and I could not get any cover for him.
"Three of them kicked on and got racing far too early, but he was very game today and outbattled them."
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