NOEL Wilson achieved one of his greatest successes to date when Stolt led from first to last to take the GWP Architects Stakes on The Press Family Raceday at York Racecourse.

The Flaxton trainer's four-year-old, whose season last year was wrecked by chipped knees, notched up his sixth win for the stable with a gutsy performance.

The 22-1 shot reared a little in the stalls before the start, but bolted into the lead and withstood the challenge of Crimson Fern to take the five furlong sprint by a neck.

A stewards' inquiry had threatened to spoil Wilson's day, but the announcement of Stolt's victory brought both delight and relief for a trainer who has finally tasted Knavesmire success after a number of close encounters.

"He doesn't want to go in the stalls too early, but when he gets out of those gates he's away," said Wilson.

"We have had a lot of close shaves at York and we've finally got one. He was a good two-year-old and he missed his entire three-year-old career with chipped knees. A lot of horses don't come back from what he has come back from and he has got a great will to win. He's as tough as nails and he loves a battle."

The win was Wilson's 13th since Christmas and his ninth from 55 runners in this Flat campaign. At his purpose-built Flaxton base, Wilson is gaining a growing reputation as a shrewd handler and he acknowledged the boost a York winner would bring to his yard.

Malton vet Frank Tobi, who owns a share of the gelding, said: "I am absolutely over the moon. He was the first horse we bought and it is absolutely fantastic."