Trawlerman put in a strong effort to win the Gold Cup, with John and Thady Gosden looking to better last year's result at Royal Ascot.
The Godolphin-owned seven-year-old stallion, who finished second to Kyprios a year ago, has capitalised on the winner's retirement under William Buick.
Illinois, who took Kyprios' place for Aidan O'Brien, was in a good position if strong enough, but Trawlerman (85-40 favourite) began to pull away in the final furlong and finished an impressive seven lengths clear. Dubai Future was third for Saeed bin Suroor in Godolphin colours.
Buick noted: “It's an extreme distance, two and a half miles, so you're going to need an extraordinary horse with outstanding qualities.
“He's got that stamina and good lung capacity. He's got a great rhythm going – it's not easy being in the lead for two and a half miles, but he's so sincere in his effort.
“I knew he would hold on and that was a big encouragement. It took me a long time to win this – I knew he was the right horse, I just hoped I could get him in the right direction.”
John Gosden expressed his relief after what felt like a long final furlong for the Clarehaven trainer.
He said: “I didn't like (the last furlong) because anything can happen, you never know until they get over the line. He's part of our entourage now, you know. It's absolutely amazing. He's the most majestic, beautiful horse he really is. The other horse, Sweet William (fourth), they've been friends for a long time.”
Trawlerman set a new course record and Gosden praised Buick's racing, repeating the tactics that had led to success when he won at Sandown.
“We ran him in the Henry II race at Sandown and William did everything right,” Gosden said.
“He went, as they say in America, 'from wire to wire', which was two miles around Sandown.
“He's a real galloper and he rode the horse beautifully, judging him well – which is no easy task over two and a half miles.
“The only way to win is to just say, 'If you're going to beat me, you'll know you've been in a race because you're going to have to run two and a half miles at a real gallop.'”
Gosden is already thinking about defending his title and, with Trawlerman set to turn eight next year, he is looking forward to assessing the gelding's efforts ahead of that long-shot goal.
He added: “I think he should be targeted for a return next year and not overbooked at all in the interim. Don't be surprised if you don't see him again until Henry II next year. That could be a reality.
“I will discuss it with Sheikh Mohammed, but he doesn't have to do all these races. He can come back here in the autumn (for the Champions Day Long Distance Cup), he won that, we can go to that and then take him out.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
