SURPRISE 20-1 shot Saint Alebe gave race fans in Norton and Malton a huge thrill when landing the showpiece Tote Ebor at York Racecourse.

Saint Alebe held Sun Bird and 4/1 favourite Salsalino at bay to win Europe's biggest handicap and a £123,500 first prize.

The four-year-old, who is part-owned by former Malton trainer Jeannie Brown, took a lead inside the final 50 yards and never looked back.

Whitsbury trainer David Elsworth said much of the praise for Saint Alebe's late surge to win a slow-paced race was down to Brown, who looks after the horse on a day-to-day basis.

"This race will mean as much to them as the Derby," said Elsworth. "Jeannie is his trainer more than I am."

Brown, who is now Elsworth's assistant, said: "I ride Saint Alebe out every day - he is my baby and I love him. There is going to be a hell of a party in Malton at the Spotted Cow."

Although the horse is trained by Elsworth in the West Country, he is also part-owned by Yorkshiremen Ray Standly and Paul Clifton.

The only blot was a two-day ban later imposed on jockey Tony Quinn for excessive use of the whip.

Meanwhile, Islington reasserted her dominance at York with a successful defence of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, August 21, 2003