Grendisar became the first horse to land back-to-back victories of the coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial with a hard-fought triumph in the Listed contest at Lingfield.
Adam Kirby brought Marco Botti's charge with a tremendous run in the straight to gain the upper hand in the all-weather championship fast-track qualifier.
Grendisar (4-1) stuck to his task admirably to hold the evens favourite Festive Fare by half a length. Lamar, who was second 12 months ago, was a neck away third in her last race before she goes to stud.
"I am delighted that Grendisar has put his head in front this time. Everything went well and in his favour today - it was a nice, even tempo and he picked up well," said Botti.
"He just does enough in his races and, once he hits the front, he is not a horse that quickens away.
"He got the job done and we will head for the Winter Derby again. He keeps performing on the all-weather, likes Lingfield Park and is back to his best.
"He didn't run to his best on his first couple of runs after a break, but then we brought him back here and he seems to enjoy it. He is definitely back to where he was last year."
Rivellino (7-1) produced a late surge to get up in the shadow of the post and repeat last year's victory in the Unibet Cleeves Stakes.
Gamgoom made a sterling effort from his outside draw in stall 12 to land the Listed fast-track qualifier.
Mario Hofer's German raider had a handy lead turning for home but Dougie Costello had Gamgoom in his sights and Karl Burke's six-year-old reeled the 33-1 outsider in close home to score by a neck.
Cold As Ice, the 9-4 favourite, made strong late headway from the rear to claim third spot but was still a length and a half away.
Costello said: "Karl freshened him up after his last run and Kelly, who rides him out every day, has been telling us all week that he's class.
"He was well in himself and got a nice tow. I thought that we were going to go a lot faster, he can miss the break sometimes, but he was sharp out of the stalls today. I think being fresh was a big thing as well.
"He is back to his best and to get back-to-back wins in this race is brilliant."
Gamgoom's jockey Martin Harley was banned for one day (February 20) for appearing not to keep straight from the stalls.
Realize (6-1) looks set for Finals Day on Good Friday after defying top weight in the Ladbrokes Handicap for his fourth course success over seven furlongs.
Stuart Williams's six-year-old got up by a neck under Oisin Murphy to deny the front-running Certificate and Shyron, who dead-heated for second.
"We will give Realize a little break and hopefully set him for the Ladbrokes Mile on Good Friday," said Williams.
"He will still have a couple of pounds to find with one or two of them but the owners are very sporting and they would like him to run."