Ask survives enquiry in order to claim French St. Leger. The Ask team had to sweat it out for 20 minutes, during and after the Prix Royal-Oak, but the British raider was eventually confirmed the winner of the French St. Leger to seal what was a superb season in France for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.

In a scene similar to this year´s controversial Prix Vermeille, owner Patrick Fahy had to worry and twiddle his thumbs during an incredibly long stewards´ enquiry, where some feared that Ask could be disqualified.

However, Ask did not have to suffer the same fate as Dar Re Mi. Ask kept the Royal-Oak, and correctly so, as he raced incredibly well against Godolphin´s gallant front-runner, Schiaparelli.

Jockey Moore sparked the interest of the stewards when he steered his mount to the left early in the home straight. This manoeuvre caused interference to a weakening Sevenna.

From that point onwards, Ask reeled in Frankie Dettori-ridden Schiaparelli and despite having over two lengths to find entering the final furlong, Ask forced his head in front and won the match with a little in hand.

Moore was twice fined 150 Euros in France, this year. This penalty was not enough to spoil his enthusiasm over a win that delighted Fahy.

“That is it for this year and he won´t be going on to Hong Kong. The big target now is the Sheema Classic in Dubai next March”. “Ask will probably revert back to other top mile-and-a-half races”, claimed Fahy.

Schiaparelli, who won an Italian Group 1 contest seven days before, pleased Godolphin, whose racing manager, Simon Crisford claimed that “he gave everything and is a very tough individual. He was just beaten by a better horse on the day”.