Trainer Michael Dods found the key to unlock the talents of Cybertechnology at Beverley today.
The decision to step up to 10 furlongs made all the difference as the six-year-old secured the Arco NSPCC Handicap.
Cybertechnology reaped the benefit of an accomplished ride from Tony Culhane.
The jockey was content to stick at the back of the pack for much of the trip on the 9-1 chance.
He began to thread his way through from two furlongs out and struck the front inside the final furlong to defeat Bacchus by one length.
'I think he's been crying out for this trip,' said Dods. 'Tony Clark told us after riding him that he might be suited by 10 furlongs but we haven't had the confidence to have a go.
'But I finally thought I would give it a try. If he was going to do it anywhere it was here as he needs an uphill finish.
'The jockey has given him a cracking ride. He was 10 lengths off the pace coming into the straight but this horse does have a good turn of foot.
'Cybertechnology has always been a decent horse but he tends to lose his confidence. This is his time of year.'
Dods reckoned the ground was perfect and is hoping for similar conditions at Newcastle on Friday when Storyteller is earmarked for the Gosforth Park Cup.
Storyteller appears well handicapped, judged on his effort in the race 12 months ago when he finished second trying to concede weight to Rudi's Pet.
'I want to run him but he won't run if it's fast. He's had a problem with his knees and I don't want to risk jarring him up.
'He's taken longer to come to hand this year but he's fine now and the form looks good _ he was trying to give Rudi's Pet 3lb last year.'
Young apprentice Dean Mernagh is knocking in a few winners and secured a double with Montana Miss and Northgate.
But Mernagh suffered several tense minutes before Northgate was confirmed the winner of the Tankclean Handicap after a stewards' inquiry.
The 10-1 chance, winning for the first time, appeared to slightly impede the head runner-up Kass Alhawa virtually on the line.
'This horse has had a few bad luck stories and I thought it was going to happen again,' said Brittain. 'It would have been harsh if they'd taken it away.'
The trainer is delighted at the progress being made by Mernagh. 'I'm so pleased for the lad _ he deserves it as he's riding well,' he said.
Mernagh teed up his double when steering 4-6 chance Montana Miss to an easy victory in the Ernst & Young NSPCC Maiden Stakes.
Kevin Darley took his tally to 60 when Adamas justified odds of 4-6 in the NSPCC Maiden Stakes.
The filly easily picked up Empire Dream and went on to win cleverly by half a length.
'We needed that,' said winning trainer Andy Turnell. 'She didn't come early on and may not have been 100% first time when one or two of mine had snotty noses.'
The filly's owners John and Claire Hollowood watched the race on television from their holiday base in Guernsey.
Turnell will now try to find a race for Adamas at York's Ebor fixture as Hollowood sponsors the Acomb Stakes at the meeting.
Skyers A Kite benefited from a positive ride by Tyrone Williams to take the Boyd Line NSPCC Claiming Stakes.
Williams soon had the five-year-old in a clear lead and none of the opposition was able to get to him throughout. - PA
