Cardano showed his turn was near with a good run at Haydock last time and he duly obliged at Nottingham under a confident ride from Martin Dwyer.
After missing the break, Martin took his time and was still trailing the field on the home turn.
Making progress from three out to the track the leaders, Cardano hit top gear two furlongs out.
Hitting the front inside the final furlong, he stayed on strongly to beat the favourite Prince of Harts by a length and a half.