Morecambe jockey Callum wins Ebor showpiece at York

Callum Rodriguez and trainer Iain Jardine celebrate after Nakeeta wins the Betfred Ebor.

In a thrilling finish Nakeeta, trained by Iain Jardine edged out favourite Flymetothestars.

A delighted Rodriguez, once a keen boxer with Skerton ABC, said: “It’s unbelievable, it’s been a great year for me.

“I moved to Michael Dods in March and my career has gone from strength to strength.

“Mr Jardine has been a good supporter of mine throughout the year and we’ve spent a lot of time with this horse over the last couple of months, going up on my Sundays off and riding out and I think he has had this race in mind for a long time.

“We know he stays two miles and likes a strong pace to aim at, we thought the Ebor would suit him down to the ground.

“He’s better coming through horses, when he gets to the front he doesn’t do a lot and I still probably got there a bit too soon.

“I was a little bit worried, but he saw it out well when the other horse came to him and did it well in the end.”

The six-year-old had not won since September 2015 but had gone close many times, including when touched off in the 2016 Chester Cup.

Lord Yeats and Ivan Grozny set a solid pace, tracked by Soldier In Action and Dubka, with 7-1 market leader Flymetothestars held up towards the rear.

The race for Europe’s richest handicap opened up in the straight, as Flymetothestars burst through the pack to lead.

However, Nakeeta (12-1) was the last to arrive on the scene and got up to win by a head. Natural Scenery was two lengths away in third, with a further length and a quarter back to Arch Villain in fourth.

Jardine said: “He’s run well in so many big races, we decided to claim off him.

“Callum gave him a great ride, I’ve got my own apprentice (Jamie Gormley), but Callum just has that bit more experience.

“He’s come close so many times he deserves this, I’m so glad he’s won one. He came from a different parish. He’s a hold-up horse and needs cover. When the favourite came at him, I knew he’d stay on strongly.

“He’s been unlucky in the past, but it all worked out today.

“Days like this are what it’s all about, it’s brilliant.”

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.