Favourite Tax Free, trained by David Nicholls, battled to victory in the £75,000 William Hill Trophy at York.
The lightly-raced three-year-old won by a neck from Intrepid Jack (10-1) with two and a half lengths back to Salamanca (20-1).
The winner, ridden by the trainer's son Adrian, made virtually all the running but was strongly pressed through the final quarter of a mile.
However, the market leader always had the edge and gain a deserved win.