EVERYTHING comes to those who wait – and Midday’s wait to win the totesport.com Middleton Stakes ended in masterly fashion at York Racecourse.

Henry Cecil’s fabulous mare, five times a Group 1 winner, was beaten by Sariska in this £100,000 contest 12 months ago.

Up against a smart field again, and giving away a 5lb penalty to all of her seven rivals, Midday (11-10 fav) was well on top at the climax of the mile and a quarter contest.

Sajjhaa, ridden by Frankie Dettori for Godolphin, made the early running at a slow pace and was still in front at the two furlong marker.

At this point, Tom Queally, riding Midday, was hard at work and there was a moment where it appeared she might not justify the judgement of punters.

But she came through strongly in the final furlong and had a comfortable two lengths in hand over Sajjhaa.

Cecil said: “I am very pleased with her. They went very slowly and she needs a good gallop. She needed the race to get going.

“Her first race is never her best race. She goes over a mile and a half and she is entered next in the Coronation Cup.”

Mick Easterby got proceedings off to the best possible start for North Yorkshire trainers when taking the opening totepool Stakes with Ancient Cross (10-1).

The seven-year-old asserted close home from long-time leader Falasteen, after travelling close to the near-side rail, to win by half a length for the Sheriff Hutton-based handler.

For York’s Steve Hull, part-owner of Ancient Cross, it was his fifth winner on Knavesmire. “This is amazing,” he said.

Easterby added: “I only gave my half-share in him away a few days ago. It’s hard to find a horse good enough to win at the big meetings and hopefully it will be worth it in the long run.

“I’ve no idea where he will go next.”

Sessay trainer David Nicholls also got in on the act as St Moritz (15-2), ridden by son Adrian, got the better of Mont Angel in the totesport 0800 221 221 Hambleton Stakes.

The jockey said: “It was great when I got past the line. When the gates opened I thought I was in a bit of trouble.

“They went a good gallop. He came round the outside and he’s a tough horse. He has got a good trainer hasn’t he!”

Elsewhere, Night Carnation (4-6 fav) justified her short price by winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sprint Conditions Stakes and Noor Zabeel (7-2 fav) scooped the Stratford Place Stud for Royal Ascot 2yo’s EBF Maiden Stakes.