Tiger Cliff struck in the shadow of the post to land the rich Ebor for the Lady Cecil team at York but Melbourne spring hopeful Opinion was disappointing.
Twelve months ago, Sir Henry Cecil saddled Frankel to win the Juddmonte International at the track.
Since he died in June, his widow and the team at Warren Place have kept the show on the road with several notable victories.
The latest came in Europe’s richest handicap which was run on rain-softened ground over 14 furlongs (2800m), but Tiger Cliff (5-1) proved up to the task as came with a late rattle under Tom Queally to collar Genzy by half a length.
Number Theory was a length further back in third, with Ted Veale fourth.
Opinion finished 10th of the 14 runners, putting a trip to Australia in jeopardy because of his low rating.
Henry Ponsonby, who heads the winning owners’ syndicate, said it was an emotional win.
“It’s very emotional as Sir Henry would have loved this and I think he had something to do with turning the taps on,” Ponsonby said.
“We don’t know about plans. He’s in the Cesarewitch and there’s the stayers’ race on Champion Day. We’ll just play it by ear.”
The plans for next year include a National Hunt campaign.
