Apercu stays on well© Photo Healy Racing
Apercu (5/2 fav) produced a game performance to win the R. C. Bagot Handicap under Billy Lee.
A maiden winner on the all-weather last year and narrowly beaten on her previous outing at Down Royal, the daughter of Elzaam tracked the leaders but came off the bridle early in the straight.
Responding to her rider's urgings, she challenged from two furlongs out and forged to the front inside the final furlong to beat Tachos by half a length.
Andy Oliver, who trains the four-year-old for Team Valor International LLC, said: “We weren't sure about the ground but we felt we had to try her.
“She was very tough, Billy gave her a great ride and put her in a great position.
“I thought three out I thought we might be in trouble but he said she was just barely doing enough and she clicked into gear.
“To be fair she started to go away. We do think she stays further but this opportunity just presented itself today. We'll look at options from here.
“She didn't seem to be doing an awful lot and I think that's what got her beaten at Down Royal, with a tricky track she was slower to get going.
“Billy put her in a better position today to make sure she had no excuses. I think the cheekpieces helped her and I liked her attitude.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
