Former Horses Of The Year Military Attack and Ambitious Dragon went to the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy with question marks hanging over them but they aced their examinations brilliantly while the current titleholder Designs On Rome emerged with only a pass mark.

Caspar Fownes saddled up Military Attack (Zac Purton) for the first time in a race and the four-time Group One winner responded brilliantly to outgame Gold-Fun (Douglas Whyte) in a photo, while Ambitious Dragon's first start since April 2013 produced an outstanding third, less than a length away.

Fownes has won his share of Group Ones but the pressure of yesterday's Group Two was in having had Military Attack transferred to him from John Moore's all-powerful team in July, when the gelding was starting to look like his best might be behind him.

"It isn't easy taking over a horse who has already achieved what Military Attack had and is rising seven, but I think Caspar has really put the zest for racing back into him," said Purton, who had been sacked off the horse in January and regained the ride only after the stable move. "In his trial, Military Attack travelled really well and wanted to be competitive and it was the same today. He jumped and wanted to take part early, which was a great sign. When they sprinted at the top of the straight, they just had him off the bit and he took some time to go through his gears but, in the last 200m where his stamina came into play, he was really strong."

Fownes said he would have been happy to run into the "first four or five" over 1,600m, and was thrilled to get the thick end of the prize.

"I gave him a nice prep to have him ready but a bit fresh for this and he only had one trial so there's definitely improvement to come," said Fownes. "We know he'll be better with more distance but then so will Designs On Rome and when we meet again over 2,000m in three weeks' time, then we'll really know where we all are."

Fownes said Military Attack had been showing signs of age but the biggest obstacle before his first-up assignment had come from outside the normal run of things.

"He's a bit jointy and had a few niggles with his feet but where there was a real problem was when he reared in his box a few weeks ago and ended up with both front legs in the feed bin," he said. "He cut himself all over the place and I thought, 'This is nice', but we got him through it. He's got a rubber feed bin now so good luck to him if he wants to try that again."

Moore-trained Designs On Rome (Joao Moreira) was sent out a warm favourite and managed eighth, just over three lengths away but it didn't dismay his rider: "He was on and off the bridle down the side at the 700m and I think he likes to be outside horses and that wasn't possible from the draw. He wasn't beaten far and I think we'll see the real horse next time at 2,000m."

There were excellent international trials throughout despite firm going that was upgraded during the day and will leave some feeling the effort on Monday, but no trial pleased more than Ambitious Dragon's return from a tendon injury.

"I asked Gerald Mosse to give him a smooth, balanced run and let him get home but that says he's even more forward than I thought," said trainer Tony Millard. "I couldn't have asked for more than that and there's plenty of life left in the old boy. I'd be wary of him second-up after such a long break but when we get to the third run - on international day - he'll be ready to rumble."