Yavana's Pace indicated that his talents remain intact as he banished the memories of three poor efforts overseas with a spirited display at Haydock Park today.
With Darryll Holland coaxing the best out of him he rallied most gamely to pip Capri a head in the Barry Case Plant Hire John Porter Stakes.
Yavana's Pace had looked booked for second place at best in the Group Three event - transferred from last Saturday's abandoned Newbury meeting - when Capri forged clear in the straight.
But he refused to throw in the towel and came back for more to lead close home.
Largesse, sent off the 100-30 favourite to win his first Group race, never threatened to take a hand and trailed in 9th of the 11.
After finishing second in the Irish St Leger last year Yavana's Pace twice failed to shine in Australia and then flopped in Dubai on his return this season.
'He'd run badly three times and I'm sure people were beginning to think that was the end of him,' said trainer Mark Johnston.
'But I wanted to see what he could do back on home turf and with Darryll back on board.
'I had wanted to take him to Hong Kong last December but he didn't get an invitation because of the Australian form.
'Maybe we can look about going there this year although the Irish St Leger will again be the main target.'
Capri's jockey Richard Quinn was given a one-day ban (May 1) for using his whip without giving his mount time respond.
Watching has the top sprint events in his sights after destroying his rivals in the Field Marshal Stakes.
He was quickly dashed across from his pitch on the far side to grab a position on the stands' rails.
Watching quickly moved clear and kept up a powerful gallop all the way to the line to defeat Pipadash by five lengths in the Listed event.
The victory confirmed the return to form of Richard Hannon who secured two important Guineas trials at Newmarket earlier in the week.
Hannon's son, also Richard, believes Watching is good enough to tackle the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Prix de l'Abbaye.
'He made his rivals look like they were pretty moderate and he is up to running in the best races now,' he said.
'He ran well on his debut at Leicester but that was over six furlongs and I'm sure he is better over five.'
Richard Price, the trainer of Champion Hurdle winner Flakey Dove, is dreaming of landing one of Flat racing's most prestigious races after the easy success of Spring Pursuit.
He is already looking to York in August with the Tote Ebor Handicap considered the ideal target for the improving Spring Pursuit.
The four-year-old, ridden by Paul Fitzsimons, smoothly defeated Lord Lamb by six lengths in the Tote Lady In Red Handicap.
'I said last year he might be an Ebor horse and that doesn't look so daft now,' said Price.
'Every time he's stepped up in trip he's kept improving and we will certainly try for the Ebor now.
'I'm not used to looking around for the big races but I'm going to have get used to it now.
'This horse simply thrives on his racing. He's been off for 24 days and that's like a holiday to him.'
Philip Robinson secured a 42-1 double with victories on Sultan Gamal and Holding Court.
Holding Court, an entry for the Derby, made all the running in the Haydock Park Sponsorship Club Handicap, to defeat First Truth by three and a half lengths.
Holding Court was running for the first time for Michael Jarvis, having previously been in the care of Brian Meehan.
'He came to me in first-class order about five weeks ago,' said Jarvis. 'Brian said to me he was a nice horse and I can see why. He revels in this ground and stays well.
'I've inherited a Derby entry for him but you wouldn't think he would be up to that but there will be plenty of other races to aim at.'
Earlier, Robinson forced the newcomer Sultan Gamal past Franica near the line for a neck verdict in the Welcome Break Group Days Inn Maiden Stakes.
There had been a downpour shortly before the third race - 10mm of rain fell in the space of several minutes - and it appeared touch and go whether racing could continue.
But after speaking to several jockeys the stewards decided that it was safe to go on, reviewing the situation on a race-by-race basis.
