RACING: Nayef overcame a scare at the start to gain revenge on Golan as the pair served up another tight finish at York yesterday.

There was only a head between the pair after their dramatic tussle in last month's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot and just half a length separated them following another duel here in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

But Ascot runner-up Nayef came out on top this time in the £450,000 contest, despite having to be reshod at the start after spreading a plate. The four-year-old, sent off 6 to 4 favourite in spite of the alarm, showed no sign of discomfort during the race as he tracked the pace-making Starbourne before hitting the front three furlongs from home under Richard Hills.

Kieren Fallon stoked up Golan for an effort but he could not quite catch the winner, though he comfortably held off Noverre for second by a length and a half.

Mark Johnston celebrated training his ninth consecutive century of winners as Bandari showed admirable resolution to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes