Things got squeezy towards the finish of Saturday's Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot but The Tin Man showed plenty of heart to come out on top.
The race started with incident, Growl rearing as the barriers opened and dislodging Paul Hanagan as Tom Queally positioned The Tin Man behind runners on the rails side.
The 2/1 favourite Limato came with his challenge two furlongs out and momentarily looked the winner but was joined on his inside by The Tin Man and Tasleet on his outside with a furlong to go.
The trio came together over the concluding stages and Limato was squeezed out near the finish, The Tin Man (9/2) defeating Tasleet (7/1) by a neck with Limato three-quarters of a length away in third. Stewards held an enquiry and the placings were unaltered.
Trainer James Fanshawe told Racing UK The Tin Man is a lazy horse in training.
"He doesn't tell you a thing at home this horse - he doesn't do anything in his homework," Fanshawe said.
"These are the horses you need. The Tin Man is a star horse and we're lucky to have him.
"There's no place like Royal Ascot and training Group One winners here is great.
"He's so laid back the horse and when he produces that sort of performance it's absolutely thrilling."
Fanshawe was not confirming a next race for The Tin Man but suggested he is likely to follow the established route for sprinters.
"I'm just enjoying today, but he's in the July Cup (Newmarket) so we'll see how he is over the next few days," Fanshawe said.
"It will be interesting when the four-year-olds meet the three-year-olds, as they looks a good bunch."
The Tin Man only beat one home in the Golden Jubilee last year but ended the season with a victory in the Group I Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
The five-year-old son of dual King's Stand Stakes winner Equiano has only raced 13 times for seven wins.
