LOCAL hero Clever Cookie claimed victory in a thrilling renewal of the Betway Yorkshire Cup.

Trained at nearby Malton by former jump jockey Peter Niven, Clever Cookie was a 5-2 chance to secure a fourth win on Knavesmire.

With pre-race favourite Flying Officer getting loose before the start, leading to his withdrawal, Luca Cumani's Second Step was the 10-11 market-leader and he travelled strongly to the lead down the straight.

PJ McDonald, standing in for the injured Daniel Tudhope, was caught in a pocket for a while aboard Clever Cookie but once in the clear he galloped on resolutely to prevail by half a length.

Curbyourenthusiasm, who was last for much of the one-mile-six-furlong journey, came home well to beat Second Step to the runner-up spot.

McDonald said: "It's a massive feeling as horses like this for me to ride are few and far between. To be able to show that if you give me the animal I can get the job done is a great confidence boost.

"I was worried for the first half of the race we were going too slow. The only saving grace was he was completely asleep underneath me.

"When I gave him a little squeeze to pick up, he changed his legs and I thought he wasn't going to like the ground, but when he knuckled down he really got to the line well.

"I followed Andrea (Atzeni on Second Step) as he was the one I wanted to follow when Frankie (Dettori on Flying Officer) was out. Things worked out today and it's super."