Old-timer George Duffield transferred bundles of his renowned determination to Giant's Causeway to help the colt gain a thrilling triumph in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes yesterday.

In a gripping conclusion, the never-say-die 53-year-old jockey squeezed an extra ounce out of his willing partner to seize the £360,000 Group One showpiece at Sandown Park by a head from Kalanisi.

Duffield, deputising for the injured Michael Kinane, was following up his win in this race nine years ago aboard Environment Friend.

"It's never too late to win it again," he grinned "I think the horse wanted to win that more than me - and that takes a bit of doing.

"I'm sure Kalanisi went at least a head but the trainer told me to keep digging as the horse was sure to find more."

The favourite Sakhee briefly led from the stalls before the Godolphin outsider Sun Charm, as expected forged to the front.

Supporters of Sakhee must have been hopeful when he struck the front more than two furlongs from home.

But the complexion of the race changed again as Giant's Causeway got to the front soon afterwards.

The Aidan O'Brien colt was briefly headed by Kalanisi but got his white face back in front in the final few yards.

Shiva who was checked by the front two stayed on to take third two and a half lengths away with Sakhee fourth.

The stewards inquired into interference involving the first three horses before allowing the result to stand.

Duffield was delighted when he got the call up to partner Giant's Causeway earlier in the week.

"They put me on stand by and it's a shame for Mick that his back problems prevented him from riding. My good luck is his bad luck," he said.

There was uncertainty going into the race over whether Giant's Causeway, a winner over the one mile St James's Palace Stakes, would stay the 10 furlongs. It resulted in the colt starting at a surprisingly generous 8 to 1, having at one stage been on offer at 10 to 1.

Duffield's day was slightly tarnished as the stewards found him guilty of excessive use of the whip. As this was a Group One race he must go to Portman Square for punishment.

Kalanisi's rider Pat Eddery was found guilty of careless riding and picked up a one-day ban. This is in addition to eight days of bans that Eddery picked up yesterday.

Eddery's disappointment was compounded further when he learned that he was also being referred to Portman Square for misuse of the whip.

This is a major setback in the jockey's hopes of becoming a champion for the 12th time.

He could easily be banned for a further seven days meaning that he could be on the sidelines for a total of 16 days.