Far Pavilions, the ante-post gamble of the race, was third, while the heavily backed Swift Sailor, who was sent off 7-2 favourite, faded in the straight after dictating the early pace along with Tungsten Strike.
“I had a rough trip early and was further back than I wanted to be, but I got a great run up the rail,” Munro said. “That’s just fate and good luck. This horse has got a great temperament and a lot of quality. He has got a great stride over this sort of trip, with a turn of foot.”
Munro, in his first season back in racing after a self-imposed five-year exile from the sport, has built a successful partnership with Rod Millman, who trains Sergeant Cecil.
Reflecting on his season so far, he said: “I’m delighted I came back. I’ve enjoyed it from day one. Things have been going very well and it’s terrific to win a high-profile race.
“Rod is having his best season and he’s a very good race planner, too.”
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Soldier’s Tale, a late withdrawal from the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last weekend due to firm ground, stepped up to Group company with consummate ease to land the Chipchase Stakes.
Kevin Darley had plenty of cover aboard the well-backed 6-4 favourite in the six-furlong race and, once he found a gap, Soldier’s Tale burst through to beat the fast-finishing Quito by half a length.
Soldier’s Tale, who came close to death last year after fracturing a leg and suffering from colic, could be a contender for the big sprints.
“I’m thrilled with his win,” said his trainer, Jeremy Noseda, who was at his local meeting in Newmarket. “He didn’t have the greatest of runs, but when he picked up, he destroyed them in half a furlong and then pulled himself up in front. He’ll have learnt a bit from today — we’ll have to produce him even later. If the ground is not too fast, he’ll head to the July Cup.”
Sierra Vista landed the Northern Sprint for the second year running under a fine front-running ride from Robert Winston.
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The five-year-old mare continued the fine form of David Barker’s stable as she held Ellens Academy — who also finished runner-up 12 months ago — by a neck.
“It is great for this old horse to get back into it,” Barker said. “ I’ll bring her back here next year — I’ll start planning now.”