Going Global moved a step closer towards a possible tilt at the Vodafone Derby when he saw off four rivals at Ripon today.
The colt proved himself well-suited to the muddy conditions as he produced a powerful late thrust to land the spoils in the Galphay Classified Stakes.
John Reid was content to bide his time on the 10-11 chance but once Going Global was set alight there was only going to be one winner.
Striking the front inside the final 100 yards, he was half a length to the good over Cool Investment at the line.
Trainer Sean Woods is already considering further testing Going Global's big-race credentials in the Thresher Classic Trial over 10 furlongs at Sandown on April 29th.
"We've spent all winter teaching him to settle and John's remark was that he was still asleep today," said Woods who was registering his first success of the campaign.
"He's a lovely type of horse - one to look forward to - and should go on from here. He already wants one mile three or one mile four but we might take him to Sandown next."
Tim Easterby has introduced the smart juvenile fillies Pipalong and Jemima at this meeting in the last two years and appears to have another promising sort in Romantic Myth.
The well-touted youngster, aided by a high draw, made most of the running on the far side in the EBF Spa Welter Maiden Stakes.
The 3-1 chance kept on powerfully all the way to the line to defeat the favourite Sir Francis by one and a quarter lengths.
Romantic Myth was providing first-season sire Mind Games, a winner of the Norfolk Stakes and Temple Stakes (twice), with his first winner.
"I was under a lot of pressure to have a winner for Mind Games but this filly is very good and I'm sure she would be in the same bracket as Pipalong and Jemima," said Easterby.
"She has the most wonderful temperament and is a very exciting horse."
Kieren Fallon missed out on a winner when Cashmere Lady landed the Jo Bate Is 50 Today Handicap.
The champion - down to ride the mare in most morning papers - missed the meeting because of a sore throat.
With Darryll Holland deputising Cashmere Lady wore down Prince Nicholas inside the final furlong.
The victory was a welcome one for trainer Les Eyre who had gone 42 runners without a success on the Flat.
The benefits of a high draw on soft ground were once again underlined as Francport, racing from the number 19 berth, pipped Manorbier (16) a short head in the Fountains Handicap.
"He's a much more mature horse now - he was a big backward baby last year," said winning trainer Alan Berry. "I hope he can win a nice handicap somewhere now."
Moon Emperor rewarded favourite backers when scoring at 2-1 in the Levy Board Grantley Maiden Stakes.
The strapping colt stayed on strongly to defeat Autumn Rain by one and three-quarter lengths.
Moon Emperor has the Italian 2000 Guineas at the end of the month as his target.
"I thought he might be short of a bit work and brought him here to give him a bit of confidence," said trainer Hooman Akbary. "I will try to give him another race before Italy.
"He did well last season and was unlucky in the Gran Criterium. His jockey forgot his passport and I ended up having to give orders in Italian to a French jockey."
