PATIENCE finally paid dividends for connections of Nakeeta as the luckless stayer got his just desserts with victory in the Betfred Ebor at York.

Ian Jardine's six-year-old just missed the cut for Europe's richest handicap 12 months ago as his stablemate Shrewd finished second, while Nakeeta had been narrowly beaten in the 2016 Chester Cup.

But it all worked out this time as Nakeeta edged out the 7-1 favourite Flymetothestars in another thrilling Knavesmire finish in the hands of 5lb claimer Callum Rodriguez.

Flymetothestars' participation on the fourth and final day of the Ebor Festival had been in doubt due to the drying ground.

But he was allowed to take his chance and it briefly looked his day, as Sir Mark Prescott's charge burst through the pack to lead, but Nakeeta (12-1) pounced late to win by a head.

Jardine said: "He's run well in so many big races, we decided to claim off him today. Callum gave him a great ride, I've got my own apprentice (Jamie Gormley), but Callum just had that bit more experience.

"He's come close so many times he deserves this, I'm so glad he's won one.

"When the favourite came at him I knew he'd stay on strongly."

Rodriguez doubled up on Holmeswood (9-2 favourite) in the Betfred Apprentice Handicap but had to share the spoils with Intense Romance (14-1) in a dead-heat to the five-furlong dash, with Michael Dods training both horses.

Sands Of Mali created a 14-1 surprise to give trainer Richard Fahey his first Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes success.

The son of Panis stepped up considerably on his Nottingham success three weeks ago to land the Group Two prize by two and three-quarter lengths under Paul Hanagan.

Fahey said: "That's brilliant, I've been second in it three times I think, even with Ribchester, so I've been desperate to tick it off my list.

"I know he was 14-1 but he didn't know that, we've always really liked him.

"He's in everything like the Middle Park and what have you, it looks a big shout entering these horses when they've only won a maiden but you have to do it."

Mustashry (5-2 favourite) wore down long-time leader Forest Ranger to take the Group Three Betfred Mobile Strensall Stakes by three-quarters of a length.

Sir Michael Stoute's four-year-old backed up a win at Chelmsford 11 days earlier with a hard-fought success under Jim Crowley in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Racing manager Angus Gold said: "We've always thought highly of him and he's finally getting to show his potential.

"We'll consider all the options for him now and hopefully he'll be around another year."

James Doyle brought Secret Advisor with a well-timed run to land a gamble in the Betfred Melrose Handicap.

The 5-1 favourite, trained by Charlie Appleby, made up a lot of ground on the far rail to nail his stablemate Bin Battuta by a neck to give Godolphin a one-two.

Doyle said: "If you drew a line from his run at Goodwood, because the ground was too soft, he should have been clear favourite anyway.

"It was a good performance there because we were strung out. I wanted to go up the middle, but I got hampered and the race got away from me so I went over what I thought was the least favoured part of the track."

Bin Battuta's jockey Martin Lane picked up a seven-day ban (September 9-15) for using his whip above the permitted level.

The Godolphin team secured a double when Windsor Castle winner Sound And Silence (9-2) returned to form to land the Julia Graves Roses Stakes by half a length from Abel Handy.

Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said: "Five furlongs is quite obviously his trip, I don't think he stayed at Newmarket (in the July Stakes).

"He's shown plenty of speed there and I've just spoken to Charlie who mentioned the Flying Childers could be next at Doncaster.

Eddystone Rock (20-1) defied Titi Makfi by a short had to win the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Handicap for trainer John Best and jockey Pat Dobbs.