SHINE So Bright just denied Laurens, and set a new course-record time, in a thrilling renewal of the Sky Bet City of York Stakes at York Racecourse.

James Doyle, a late substitute to ride the winner following Friday night's injury for King Power's retained jockey Silvestre De Sousa, led throughout and held on by nose as Laurens edged ever closer but just ran out of time.

With De Sousa expected to be out for up to six weeks after his fall at Chelmsford, Doyle set a scorching gallop on Andrew Balding's 6-1 winner in a race which was carrying enhanced Group Two status for the first time.

Shine So Bright had employed similar tactics under De Sousa to win the Listed European Free Handicap, before finishing sixth in the 2000 Guineas on his return to Newmarket a month later.

The grey was unraced since - but York's speedy seven furlongs saw him prove just too tough a nut to crack for Karl Burke's admirable multiple Group One-winning filly Laurens.

She was back to seven for the first time since her juvenile campaign two years ago and did little wrong in defeat, as the 2-1 favourite, with Cape Byron a further two lengths back in third.

Zaaki returned to form stepped back up in trip with a solid performance in the Sky Bet & Symphony Group Strensall Stakes in the opening race of the final day of the Ebor Festival.

Twice a winner over a mile earlier in the season, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old disappointed over seven furlongs last time and was suited by every inch of the extended nine furlongs on Knavesmire.

Forest Ranger made the running with the evens favourite Wissahickon handy and Zaaki just off the pace in fourth.

Ryan Moore looked to have plenty in the tank on Zaaki and the 7-2 shot went on - but had to hold the challenge of Bangkok who was just a neck down at the line in the Group Three affair.

Hamish looked a promising young stayer in the making as he won the right to run in next year's Ebor with victory in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap.

Owned and bred by trainer William Haggas' father, Brian, the son of Motivator knuckled down well to beat the favourite First In Line on only his fourth start.

Ridden by James Doyle, Hamish (7-1) got home by three-quarters of a length, with Land Of Oz a length and a quarter away in third.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Alligator Alley (11-8 favourite) overcame an awkward start to snatch the Listed spoils in the Julia Graves Roses Stakes.

Donnacha O'Brien found a dream run on the stands rail well inside the final furlong to hit the front close home and score by a length from Dr Simpson, with Streamline another head away.

The progressive Forest Of Dean (6-4 favourite) could head for the Cambridgeshire after giving a sound beating to seasoned campaigners in the Sky Bet Handicap.

Frankie Dettori brought the John Gosden-trained three-year-old with a strong run to collar long-time leader Johnny Drama in the final furlong and win by a length and a half.

Que Amoro (9-1) followed up her victory over slightly further on this course last month with another all-the-way display in the five-furlong Sky Bet Apprentice Handicap.

The filly, trained by Michael Dods, never looked like being caught as she galloped on enthusiastically to score by a length and three-quarters from Moss Gill in the hands of Phil Dennis, who won on 66-1 shot Everlasting Times on Thursday.

Dods said: "She was impressive here last time and that is how she's worked at home.

"We tried to steady her in a couple of races and I said it's not working.

"Last time she ran we said let her get on with it. When she won here it was always the plan to come back for the apprentice race.

"It's worked out. She was impressive and she is quick. She's a pretty good filly now."