Drop back does the trick for Time

Equation Of Time justified good support in the mile handicap when coming up the centre to score under Gary Phillips.

Phillips had his mount on the outer throughout and he moved up to challenge at the two furlong pole.

He soon hit the front but wandered around a bit on his own. Akasaka was a big danger on the rail side from the furlong pole but Equation Of Time stuck on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a half.

The first and second were sent off the 3/1 joint favourites. The Garvan Donnelly-trained winner had been backed at 9/2 this morning and the support continued on track from 7/2.

The winner was successful over course and distance last September and was dropping back to that trip for the first time since then.

“I got the trip right at last. He was suited by dropping back and I knew there would be plenty of pace on,” said Donnelly.

“I'm delighted for the lads (owners Gerry Clarke, Simon Mulvany & Tom White). Gerry has been with me for a long time and it's nice to repay them.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)