KEVIN Ryan does well with his youngsters on the Knavesmire and the once-raced Syphax sprang a surprise in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes, coming from last to first under Jamie Spencer to score at 16/1.

A once-raced colt by American sire Arch and out of the Kingmambo mare Much Obliged, Syphax had won a relatively minor maiden over seven furlongs at Musselburgh and is obviously very happy at the trip.

Spencer, riding a typically patient race, had him tucked in at the back as Galactic Prince made much of the early running. Warm favourite Best Of Days (10/11) took over with a furlong to travel but, going right through with his effort, Syphax wore him down close home to prevail by a head. The China Racing Club’s Lockheed was only three-quarters of a length behind, stepping up on his hard-fought win in a Goodwood maiden.

Aidan O’Brien’s Courage Under Fire did nothing wrong in fifth but looked one-paced close home, while Mark Johnston’s Bear Valley, having sprinted clear in a Goodwood nursery, beat only one home at this much higher level.

Ryan reported that plans are flexible for the winner, though there seems every reason to try the top juvenile events at a mile. Although the winning margin was a slender one, he was going on at the finish and Hugo Palmer’s runner-up is highly regarded.

A DODDLE FOR OCEANE

There is nothing prolific jumps trainer Alan King likes more than winning good staying races on the Flat and he claimed another when 7/1 chance Oceane forged clear in the Fine Equity Stakes over two miles plus.

Things became a little messy in the closing stages, with eventual third The Cashel Man veering sharply left and runner-up Nakeeta finding himself crowded on the rails, but Oceane, in front a furlong out after being held up by Fergus Sweeney, was keeping on best anyway and soon had the race in safe keeping. This two miles must have seemed like a holiday trip after his fine third at Goodwood over two miles, five furlongs.

Oceane started well over hurdles but arguably failed to do himself justice last winter as the season wore on. Trying to equate form under the two disciplines is always problematical but he clearly stays a distance of ground and will be of great interest when the new campaign gets underway.

WAGON WHEEL ROLLS IN

Very few York meetings go by without Richard Fahey making his mark and he could even afford to be without late withdrawal Navarone in the closing Betway Nursery over six furlongs as stable-companion The Wagon Wheel made all for Paddy Mathers to oblige at 13/2.

An Acclamation filly, The Wagon Wheel had scored on her debut at Beverley and won this quite impressively, accounting for outsider La Casa Tarifa by nearly two lengths with Storm Cry and Masham Star faring best of the rest.

Owner’s decisions must be Obaid

OWNER Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum shed some light on his decision to move Postponed, among 30 horses, to Roger Varian from Luca Cumani’s yard last September. Jim Bolger and Simon Crisford also benefited from the split with Cumani and the Sheikh said: “I’m not going to listen to a trainer give me an order what to do. I went to Simon, I told him the same. I went to Mr Bolger, I told him the same. I said to them ‘If I tell you this is the race I want to run, this is the race I want to run, and I won’t take any excuses later’. I pay the money. I don’t mind if people criticise me, but they have to pay as much money as I do. Then criticise me. They have to put their hands into their pockets and then say what they feel.”