Crambo, dismissed in the betting at 9-1 despite his narrow win in the Long Walk Hurdle 12 months ago, returned to Ascot for the first time since and rediscovered his form in impressive fashion here on Saturday, edging home by a head from Hiddenvalley Lake and briefly reducing Fergal O’Brien, his trainer, to tears as he celebrated the third Grade One win of his career.

Strong Leader, a Grade Two winner at Newbury last month, was sent off favourite at 11-8 but was never in serious contention and eventually faded to finish last of the 10 runners as Crambo moved towards the lead between the final two flights.

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