Italian raider Electrocutionist denied Japanese hope Zenno Rob Roy in a thrilling finish to the Juddmonte International Stakes at York yesterday.
Mick Kinane brought the four-year-old - trained by Valfredo Valiani Valiani, who won the Yorkshire Oaks in 2001 with his only other York runner Super Tassa - with a last-gasp bid on the near side to edge out Zenno Rob Roy, with Maraahel a close third.
Kinane was completing a quick double on the 9-2 shot having won the Great Voltigeur on Hard Top.
New Morning was expected to take the field along, but her advantage did not last long as Kieren Fallon soon moved favourite Ace to the front with Doyen and Maraahel just behind.
As they turned for home, Fallon took the runners to the centre of the track. Maraahel joined Ace over two furlongs out with Norse Dancer making his bid on the far side.
But the contest was far from over as the two international challengers were intent on playing their hands late.
There were five in a line inside the final furlong and it was impossible to name the winner until the final strides, with Electrocutionist prevailing by a neck. Ace was fourth and Norse Dancer fifth.
Kinane said: "I always thought I was going to get to them, but just at the two pole I hit a bit of a flat spot. Once I got to the Japanese horse's quarters I always knew I'd get there."
There were two local winners yesterday as Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan's Palace Episode came first in the Acomb Stakes, while Prince of Light, trained at Middleham by Mark Johnston, won under Joe Fanning in the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Nursery Handicap.
Updated: 11:47 Wednesday, August 17, 2005
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