Top class stayer Fame And Glory was the headline act for the Aidan O’Brien stable as he warmed up for the defence of his Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
The six-year-old got the better of the Dermot Weld-trained mare Unaccompanied after a prolonged duel throughout the final two furlongs (400m) to defend the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes.
The 5-4 favourite prevailed by a neck with rider Joseph O’Brien not giving the six-year-old an unduly hard race on his first outing since October.
Table Mountain made the running with Fame And Glory hot on his heels before going on a long way from home to make it a true test of stamina.
Unaccompanied and Steps To Freedom ranged alongside but Fame And Glory had the class to take his winning tally to 14 from 22 starts.
“He ran quite fresh down the back. I had a nice position on the bend going away from the stands and then he changed his legs and took off a bit,” Joseph O’Brien said.
“He just got a bit tired, which he was entitled to on his first run of the year.”
O’Brien was standing in for Fame And Glory’s usual partner Jamie Spencer, who is serving a three-day ban.
The winner was cut to 2-1 favourite from 5-2 with most bookmakers for the Gold Cup on June 21.
