Item delivered for Andrew Balding and the sponsors to land a 10-1 surprise in the Juddmonte International at York – with the big two of Constitution River and Ombudsman only third and fourth respectively. Hawk Mountain rather unexpectedly set the early pace, with stablemate Constitution River tucked in keenly behind him and odds-on favourite Ombudsman at the rear under William Buick, kept company by another Aidan O'Brien runner, Action.

Hawk Mountain was still in front as they moved to the top of the long Knavesmire straight, with Buick beginning to make headway on the inside rail, as Ryan Moore and Constitution River kicked for home over two furlongs out.

Ombudsman kept making ground on the inside, but the dangers were coming on the outside and it was Ed Walker's Almaqam who pulled away with half a furlong to run, only for Item to arrive in full flight, just getting his head down on the line in the hands of Colin Keane.

Balding has now achieved something his later father, Ian, the trainer of Mill Reef, never managed. He said: "I don't think he had many goes at it, though, in fairness. It's always one of the most important races of the year. So it's lovely to win it with a horse like this."