Amadeus Wolf sprinted into manhood with a long-overdue victory in the Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes at York.

Kevin Ryan's colt went toe to toe with the best in the business as a three-year-old but came of age on the Knavesmire with an excellent performance in this Group Two contest.

Amadeus Wolf has not won since landing the 2005 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket but that unwanted statistic was stricken from the record once Neil Callan went about his business a furlong from home.

His old rival, Red Clubs, emerged the biggest danger to the 3-1 favourite but was no match for Ryan's charge, who crossed the line with a length and a quarter to spare.

Injury-plagued Soldier's Tale was having his first outing for 678 days but stayed on stoutly for third place, three-quarters of a length further adrift of the classy winner.

Ryan said: ''He was a bit of a baby last year but still showed what a good horse he is.

''He was even a bit babyish in the preliminaries but walked back in a man.

''We were mindful he was a three-year-old last year but he's now man enough to take his training.

''He'll go to Ascot for the Golden Jubilee, then the July Cup and then Haydock (the Betfred Sprint) - his plan is pretty much mapped out.

''Hopefully this horse can now prove to be a champion.''

Trainer Barry Hills was proud in defeat after Red Clubs finished the same distance in arrears of Amadeus Wolf as in the Middle Park.

Hills said: ''The winner also beat us in the Gimcrack when we were carrying a penalty and he's done the same this time.

''I think these two (Amadeus Wolf and Red Clubs) could turn out to be the two best sprinters this season.

''He'll now go to the Golden Jubilee at Ascot.''

Jeremy Noseda, trainer of Soldier's Tale, said: ''He still retains his ability. He was a bit rusty and I just hope he keeps sound.''

Emirates Skyline got punters off to a flying start as Frankie Dettori guided the market leader to a cosy success in the Sixty Years of Timeform Stakes.

The winning 11-2 favourite's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, said: ''He looked happier, and that's what you need. On good ground he will be better."