Item Edges Almaqam in International Stakes Thriller at York

Item delivered a late run to beat Almaqam by a head in the Group One International Stakes at York on Wednesday. The 10-1 winner, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Colin Keane, caught the leader in the final strides of the feature race on the opening day of the Ebor Festival, The Guardian reported.

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Almaqam had taken control in the straight under Kieran Shoemark and appeared poised to complete the upset after moving clear. On rain-softened ground, however, he began to tire inside the final furlong. Keane drove Item forward after finding room, and the pair reached the line narrowly in front.

The race had departed from expectations at the start. Action, entered as the likely pacemaker for trainer Aidan O'Brien, was slowly away. That left stablemate Hawk Mountain in front and brought Constitution River much closer to the early pace than anticipated. Ombudsman, the 5-6 favourite, raced at the rear and remained last as the field turned for home.

Ombudsman later tried to advance along the far rail under William Buick but struggled to secure a clear path before producing a brief challenge. Constitution River finished third, with Ombudsman fourth in the eight-runner field. Almaqam held second after Item's decisive final effort in the race over one mile, two furlongs and 56 yards.

The result denied the two strongest-backed runners and gave Item another York success after his Group Two York Stakes victory over the same course and distance in July. The Guardian reported that the win was the third in the International Stakes for Juddmonte's green, white and pink colours. Juddmonte has sponsored the race since 1989.

John Gosden, Ombudsman's trainer, said the rain over the preceding 24 hours had left the ground much softer and did not suit the favourite. Balding disclosed after the race that Item's participation had been in doubt because of a minor issue with his feet. Item nevertheless took his place and settled the £1.5 million feature with the final stride of a tightly contested finish.