The veteran Tullius got the better of a thrilling three-way tussle to win the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom.
Andrew Balding‘s eight-year-old was sporting a first-time visor and stuck his nose down at the right time to prevail by a short head from Decorated Knight, with the front-running Custom Cut a further head away in third.
The soft underfoot conditions prompted four non-runners, including last year’s winner Arod, who Tullius had finished fourth behind 12 months ago.
Last year’s runner-up Custom Cut was bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run in Ireland last time and he attempted to make all under his Group 2 penalty.
He had the field on the stretch three furlongs out as Tullius and Decorated Knight started to edge closer down the outside.
Custom Cut still held the advantage entering the final furlong and it looked as though Decorated Knight would be the one to collar the leader as Tullius battled in between horses.
However, Tullius found a little bit extra in the final 50 yards for Jimmy Fortune to just get up from Decorated Knight, with Custom Cut running a grand race in third.
Balding said: “He’s a great horse and Jimmy was superb on him, they’ve forged a great relationship and they’ve both still got it.
“I thought he was beaten and the visor just helped him find another neck when he needed it. The right result for us, anyway.”
