Eventuail, recently voted champion older horse, yesterday ran second in the Strensall Stakes at York.

The big gelding flew at the finish of the nine furlong race to beaten a head by Naheef. The latter is a multiple Group 3 winner who was second to Hawk Wing in the National Stakes at two. The winner was sent to the front 2 furlongs out under Frankie Dettori. Trained by Saeed bi Suroor, Naheef is by Marju out of a sister to the dam of Irish Oaks winner Lailani.

Eventuail, coming off an unplaced run in the Sussex Stakes, carried level weights with the winner. Now trained William Haggas he was ridden by Daryll Holland and may have been unlucky when forced to check at a crucial stage.

Eventuail, a son of Candy Stripes, was formerly trained by Geoff Woodruff when he won both the SA Guineas at three and the Summer Cup, under topweight, at four. Prior to the ill fated trip to Hong Kong, he ran fourth to Ipi Tombe in the Dubai Duty Free.