Ask joy for Stoute and Moore - but only after nerve-wracking wait; INTERNATIONAL.

Report France Prix Royal-Oak G1 Longchamp, 1m71/2f, 3yo+ THE connections of Ask were yesterday forced to sweat both during and after the Prix Royal-Oak but, following a nerve-wracking 20 minutes, the British raider was confirmed the winner of France's St Leger, sealing a superb season in the country for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Ryan Moore, writes Desmond Stoneham.

In scenes reminiscent of those after this year's controversial Prix Vermeille, owner Patrick Fahy was required to twiddle his thumbs during a tense and horribly long stewards' inquiry, which some feared may result in Ask being disqualified.

However, the fate that befell Vermeille first-past-the-post Dar Re Mi was not suffered by Ask, who was allowed to keep the race after the determined, sustained challenge that eventually took him past Godolphin's gallant front-runner Schiaparelli.

At a near-empty Longchamp, Moore sparked the interest of the stewards when steering his mount to the left early in the home straight, a manoeuvre that caused interference to the weakening Sevenna.

From that point on, Ask set about reeling in the Frankie Dettori-ridden Schiaparelli and, despite still having more than two lengths to find entering the final furlong, forced his head in front and ultimately won with a little in hand.

Moore, also twice successful on the Stoute-trained Spanish Moon in France this season, was fined EUR150 by the stewards, but the penalty was not enough to spoil his enjoyment of a win that delighted Fahy.

"He was given a beautiful ride and stayed on really well in the final stages," said the owner, whose six-year-old won the Investec Coronation Cup in June.

"That's 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, and that's all that matters for the moment. Ask will probably then revert to other top mile-and-a-half races."

Schiaparelli, who had landed an Italian Group 1 seven days earlier, again pleased Godolphin, whose racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He gave everything and is a very tough individual. He was just beaten by a better horse on the day."

The Aga Khan's Manighar fared best of the two French runners, staying on for third under Christophe Lemaire.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "I'm very satisfied with his effort and he's still improving. Today's field was of a very high class and I think that was his best race.

"He'll run in staying events like the Barbeville and Vicomtesse Vigier and we'll certainly have a look at the Gold Cup if all goes well."

Also due to stay in training is Irish St Leger runner-up Clowance, who behaved mulishly in front of the stalls but then stayed on for fourth under Kieren Fallon.

Trainer Roger Charlton said: "Kieren said the lack of pace didn't suit the filly. She'll remain in training next year as a five-year-old."

CAPTION(S):

Ryan Moore: kept the race but was handed a EUR150 fine