Sparks fly as Electrocutionist wins International Stakes

Electrocutionist pipped Japanese hope Zenno Rob Roy in a thrilling finish to the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Mick Kinane brought the four-year-old, trained by Valfredo Valiani, with a last-gasp bid on the near side to pip 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 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 when the race began to hot up.

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 at which point Norse Dancer was the first to give away.

It was impossible to name the winner until the final strides and it was Electrocutionist who prevailed by a neck from Zenno Rob Roy, with Maraahel a head away third. Ace was fourth and Norse Dancer fifth.

Kinane told Channel 4 Racing: "I probably gave him a shade too much to do, he was just struggling to pick up on the ground.

“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.

“I loved this horse when I rode him last week and I was very pleasantly surprised with the feel he gave me. I said he was a proper Group One horse.”