NOT for the first time in recent years the Group 2 Betway Yorkshire Cup produced a memorable finish and those who braved a damp, drizzly afternoon on the Knavesmire yesterday were rewarded with a royal victory.

Coming with a storming run under Ryan Moore, Queen Elizabeth’s Dartmouth arrived late and wide and got up to beat former St Leger winner Simple Verse by a neck, with the rallying High Jinx, Endless Time and Marmelo right behind.

High Jinx, now with Tim Easterby and returning after a two-year absence, made the running with Marmelo and Godolphin’s Endless Time following him into the straight.

As that pair challenged, it looked as if the finish might concern only them, but Simple Verse stayed on strongly towards the far side with High Jinx finding remarkable reserves to make a line of four. Then, with a withering late run under the stands’ rails and vociferous encouragement from the grandstand, Moore gained the day in the dying strides on the 11/4 favourite. It was a magnificent climax.

The first four were all making their seasonal reappearance, a highly unusual statistic in itself. Dartmouth had not been seen since the Canadian International at Woodbine and missed the Dubai Carnival through a training setback.

Yet Sir Michael Stoute had him in in perfect order for his first attempt at a mile and three-quarters, an outstanding achievement.

“To be honest, I didn’t think he’d get there,’’ said the Queen’s racing manager John Warren. “He was wide of the others and had plenty to do but Ryan said it was his plan to come up the stands’ side and it worked. Dartmouth is an exceptionally brave horse and never lets himself down. He’s nearly a Group 1 horse but not quite, though sometimes you might find a Group 1 abroad.

“I should think he’ll go for a repeat victory in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. This is the furthest he’s been and it might be a fun thing to do, trying him over two miles one day, but not yet.’’

The filly Simple Verse ran another fine race and did everything but win. She may well stay the Gold Cup trip if Ralph Beckett goes down that road.