Derby winner Desert Crown was thwarted by Hukum in a pulsating renewal of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
The pair, both making a belated return to action, went head-to-head for Sandown's Group 3 prize – but the result did not go how many expected.
Desert Crown, last seen scooping the Epsom Classic in June 2022, was sent off the 2-5 favourite to uphold his unbeaten record. And the Racehorse Lotto-backed contest looked to be going to plan as he made a sweeping move to lead at the two furlong pole.
Meanwhile Hukum, partnered by Jim Crowley, had to wait for room behind the market leader's stablemate and galloping partner Solid Stone. But once he found daylight, the Owen Burrows-trained winner picked up stylishly for a half-length call.
It was a remarkable comeback from the 5-1 shot, as it was feared his career had been curtailed by a serious injury.
Yet the performance did not come as a surprise to Crowley, sporting the famous blue and white Shadwell Stud colours.
"At home it was the best I'd ever known the horse," said Crowley. "He has got quicker and showed a turn of foot we haven't seen before. It was a very good performance."
Desert Crown's trainer Sir Michael Stoute admitted his colt – who hit a low of 1.09 in-running on Betfair – was a "little ring rusty."
"He looked as if he had his race won but he just tied up in the closing stages," he added.
Earlier on the card, Karl Burke's Elite Status rocketed to the head of the betting for Royal Ascot's Norfolk Stakes. Bookmakers go no bigger than 5-2 for the six-figure purchase to follow up his five length National Stakes romp next month.
