Mark Johnston's Tartan Gigha benefited from a typically power-packed ride from Kieren Fallon to land the StanJames.com Suffolk Stakes, the opening race on 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket.
Sent off at 12-1 having finished second at Sandown a week ago, the five-year-old was being nudged along a long way from home, but kept responding to the urgings of the six-times champion jockey.
Elliptical and Riggins came at him inside the final furlong, but Tartan Gigha would not surrender and passed the post a head and a neck to the good.
Fallon said: "I thought I'd gone too soon on him, but he's as tough as nails and battled on to the line. Mark's horses are tough and keep going. They are simple to ride and a joy to ride.
"It's fair to say the ground is good to firm. This horse likes fast ground and he felt good on it."
Johnston added: "That is a fantastic start to Guineas afternoon. Isabelle Bird (owner) died earlier this year and I am so pleased for her husband, Frank, who decided to keep her horses in training.
"She had horses with me for 15 years and was close to Deirdre (Johnston), so she was a sad loss and racing was much more her hobby than Frank's.
"She was a fantastic owner and this is the first win for the family since her death."
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