The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt hit the front in the hands of Sean Levey as they approached the two-furlong pole, but Lex Victoria was travelling strongly on his heels.

It soon turned into a two-horse race on the run for home as Lex Victoria refused to let 6-4 favourite Bengal Tiger have it all his own way, but ultimately he was doing enough to win by a neck.

Levey told Racing TV: “I was surprised when she (Lex Victoria) loomed up. He is the sort of horse, typical of Aidan O’Brien’s, that always have a bit in reserve. They love a battle, they love a fight.

“He just kept himself where he was, a lovely horse. It’s nice to see him go up through the trips and it looked like he wanted every yard of the seven today. He’s just a lovely type, a scopey type and a horse to look forward to next year.

“As an older horse he might stretch out to a mile. It would be nice to see him over seven in a (Classic) trial.”

The fast-finishing Haldon Pier produced an 80-1 surprise to remain unbeaten and land the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Montrose Fillies’ Stakes for Ralph Beckett and Rhys Clutterbuck.

Clutterbuck said: “It was very messy in the closing stages, but she’s got a great mind and an electric turn of foot. She got us out of trouble today, but it was hard work.

“If we had a smoother run through the field I think she would have picked up quite nicely. We dodged a bit of dead wood in front of us and it made it a little bit harder, but she’s seen it out. She’s done it well.”

Kieran Shoemark continued his red-hot form as he sauntered up the rail for a sixth victory of the two-day meeting in the Arabian Light German Group One Racecourses James Seymour Stakes.

Arabian Light (9-2) was slowly out of the stalls but a gap opened up on the rail at the two-furlong marker and Shoemark sent his mount through and past Nahraan and the John and Thady Gosden-trained challenger had no answer as Charlie Appleby’s Arabian Light galloped clear by two lengths.

Shoemark said: “They went a nice even pace and he’s the type that you wouldn’t want to hurry out of the gates.

“I had to take my medicine and let him find a rhythm, he relaxed and I was grateful they didn’t race over the far side. He’s a very good horse. he’s got a high rating and he quickened through the line, so he’s got plenty of ability and it’s nice to see that it was retained here today.”