The Laura Richardson-trained Jeux D'Eau added his name to the iconic roll-call for the historic Lady Dudley Cup with a no-nonsense victory in the Classic when providing his Shropshire-based trainer with by far the biggest victory of her fledgling career.
Only six-years-old, the gelding partnered by Richardson's partner Huw Edwards showed great tenacity up the long Chaddesley Corbett home straight to thwart the persistent attentions of Looksnowtlikebrian by a couple of lengths with odds-on favourite Grace A Vous Enki a further three lengths back in third.
An emotional Richardson was finding it difficult to hold back tears of joy and said: "I cannot believe it as we have always thought he was a nice horse ever since we had him as a two-year-old -- but to win a prestigious race like this is beyond my wildest dreams.
"We had been struggling to find suitable races with him as many of our local meetings have been rained off, so we took the plunge and decided to come here and let him take his chance. It might just sink in at some stage just what he has just done but for now we will savour the moment."
Looking ahead, Richardson added: "We will have to look at all the options for him but there is only just over a month left of the season - I suppose we will have to consider hunter chases after a success like that."
The victory of Jeux D'eau proved the middle leg of a treble for Edwards as he had earlier taken the opening Maiden for 4&5yo aboard Philip Rowley's newcomer Jacques Clouseau and completed the three-timer when pushing out Call Her Clever for the Maiden mares and fillies contest.
Not surprisingly, Rowley was quick to announce that Jacques Clouseau was for sale after the good-looking five-year-old had lowered the colours of Old Cowboy by a length in a driving finish.
He said: "We think he is a very smart horse with loads of scope and is so straightforward. If someone wants him to stay in the yard that is fine, otherwise he will be off the sales as that is what he was purchased for in the first place."
There was plenty of daylight between Call Her Clever and her rivals as she passed the post with 16 lengths to spare over Penelope Ann in a race that was run in memory of the late Robert Chugg.
Winning trainer Niel Turner, who was celebrating his first winner, said: "It's an honour to win the race named in honour of Robert as I worked for him for many years and he taught me so much - so this is all down to him."
The Grace A Vous Enki team of owners Clive and Joan Hitchings along with trainer Nicky Sheppard did not go away empty handed as Ihandaya, ridden by Natalie Parker, stretched his winning sequence to three since switching to his current trainer.
Although Ihandaya faced only one other rival in the shape of Tigerbythetail, the race turned out to be a bit of cat and mouse played out by Parker and Gina Ellis with the former electing to make the running and that ploy paid off with a comfortable 8 lengths call.
Sheppard commented: "He keeps going the right way but there is no real plan with him as we will take it one step at a time and where he runs next will be decided by Clive and Joan." The winning trainer had earlier initiated a double when A Jet Of Our Own got the better of a protracted tussle with Hidor De Bersy to take the spoils in the 2m 4f Conditions contest.
Winning rider Freddie Philipson-Stow said: "We fitted him with cheekpieces for the first time and the plan was to be very positive on him as he stays three miles. I suspect he will have at least one more run before the season ends in five weeks or so."
Kauto No Risk made a belated winning return when posting a battling half-length verdict over the rallying Perryville when lifting the Members race for trainer Jo Priest, rider Zak Baker and owner John Hargreaves. Priest explained the eight-year-old's absence by saying: "it has simply been a waiting game for some better conditions as it has been bottomless everywhere this winter and he must have goodish ground."
It proved a red letter day for rider Patsy Page as she celebrated her first ever winner after Rockhamtom made it fifth time lucky this season with a victory over You And Me Too for the 2m Maiden.