Stressfree victory proves enjoyable for O'Meara
David O'Meara's five-year-old only had three victories to his name on the Flat before this, which does not reflect the level of his ability, and looked to have a mountain to climb as Kildare Legend kicked clear off the front.
But Danny Tudhope timed it to perfection on the 11-2 shot to win by a neck and the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap now beckons.
O'Meara said: 'He wasn't winning out of turn, he's been very consistent. He's got a lot of ability, but he's often the bridesmaid. We sent him hurdling through the winter, more to toughen him up than anything.
'He was given an excellent ride. I'm never confident with him as he's often come out second best, but to be fair he did nothing wrong today.
'He could go for the mile-and-a-half handicap at Ascot and possibly the Ebor later, why not, he might stay that far, he keeps a little bit back.'
The big summer showpiece could also be on the cards for Mick Appleby's Kodi Lion (5-1) following a clear-cut win in the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Reverence Handicap.
Bought out of Ed Walker's yard for 90,000 guineas, he will need to step up in trip should he go following a length win over six furlongs, but he does have form over seven.
'It's quite emotional, my dad died four years ago today so he's definitely looking down,' said Liz Cash, who owns the horse together with her mother.
'If he goes up enough in the weights we'll look at the seven-furlong race (Buckingham Palace) at Ascot.'
Ed Bethell's Oolong Poobong (4-1) was cheered home by a raucous crowd to win the Betfred 'Join Our Sports Club' Fillies' Handicap, while Martyn Meade saddled just his second winner of the year when Organ (9-1) prevailed in the Betfred 'Join Our Sports Club' Fillies' Handicap.
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