Racegoers were treated to a thrilling finale to the opening event on Timeform Charity Day at York with Boldly Goes and Friar Tuck passing the post in unison.
With the help of the hawk-eye camera, judge Alistair Stewart was able to announce a dead-heat less than two minutes after the finish of the Charles Henry Memorial Handicap.
Boldly Goes, a 14-1 chance, had been sent on more than a furlong from home but he was joined on the line by the fast finishing Friar Tuck (9-1).
Boldly Goes' trainer Chris Fairhurst, registering his first win at York, said: 'I'll certainly settle for a dead-heat - I thought we were beaten.
'York is my favourite track, so I'm delighted to have got off the mark here.
'This horse is back on a sound track now. He was in a bad way with colic last year and had to have an emergency operation at the Leahurst Veterinary College - they did a marvellous job.'
Linda Perratt, the trainer of Friar Tuck, said: 'When they are so close it seems unfair that either one should be beaten, so I'm quite happy to accept a dead-heat.'
Friar Tuck has also suffered his share of troubles. He has had wind problems and was tubed, although the tube was removed at the beginning of the year. -PA
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