La Cucaracha came with a telling late run to land the Group One VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The Barry Hills-trained filly burst through down the centre of the track and just kept on to deny the fast-finishing The Tatling.

Majestic Missile ran a blinder to be third, but hot favourite Chineur could never get on terms after falling out of the stalls.

Michael Hills, the trainer's son, had La Cucaracha settled in the pack as early leader Boogie Street set a strong pace and he started his move on the 7-1 shot around two furlongs out.

She quickly got her nose in front and despite The Tatling's last-gasp effort on the stands side, La Cucaracha just had a little bit more in reserve to win by a head, with Majestic Missile a further length away.

The winner's owner Guy Reed, from Copgrove between Harrogate and Ripon, who also bred the daughter of Piccolo, could barely conceal his delight at his first ever Group One success.

"This is my first Group One since I started in 1968 so that was a long time ago," he said.

"She had worked like a dream at home, and ran like a dream. It is a dream. I backed her early doors at 33-1."

Hills senior is now targeting a trip abroad for La Cucaracha.

He said: "She's good and she will get better. She likes it quick, there's no doubt about that, and it helps stop some of the others when it's on the fast side.

"I'm hoping we will get an invite to go to Hong Kong. That's the race we would like to go for with her.

"She's got the speed for it and she will love the ground."

Milton Bradley, trainer of The Tatling, was left frustrated after watching his charge be beaten by a narrow margin for a second successive year in the race.

He said: "We would have got her in two more strides.

"I'm very pleased but frustrated and very proud of the horse. He's the most consistent sprinter in the country."

There was a success for Middleham's Mark Johnston in the final race as 11-4 favourite Nihal took the honours with Joe Fanning on board.

Updated: 13:19 Friday, August 19, 2005