In the most dramatic circumstances Kayf Tara entered the record books as the first horse to regain the Gold Cup when getting up to beat Far Cry by a head at Royal Ascot.

After greeting their charge into the spot reserved for the winner, connections - who do not even consider the winner a true 2-mile horse - had to endure a 20-minute wait while stewards looked into an incident approaching the final furlong when Kayf Tara drifted across the track, interfering with eventual fourth San Sebastian.

The officials also looked at the possibility that the Godolphin horse had brushed up against the runner-up in the shadow of the post.

The roar that greeted the announcement that the positions would remain unchanged confirmed the relief of Sheikh Mohammed and his entourage, and of the punters who ensured Kayf Tara was sent off the 11-8 favourite for the historic event.

It was no more than Kayf Tara deserved after the Sadler's Wells entire looked as if he may never race again following a suspensory ligament injury received on the eve of last year's Melbourne Cup.

The tender loving care he received throughout the winter proved just what the doctor ordered as the six-year-old joined the greats of the staying game with multiple successes in this true test of stamina.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, who said this will probably be the winner's final season, declared Kayf Tara a ''superstar,'' adding: ''He has now won eight Pattern races, more than any other horse to race for Godolphin. Daylami only won seven.

''He has plenty of heart and is very brave - he must be one of the best stayers of recent years because he is so consistent.''

Ironically for a dual Gold Cup winner, Kayf Tara will now be dropped in distance by a mile.

''He will be dropping back to a mile and a half for the King George now,'' said Crisford.

''We did it with Classic Cliche and he was second to Pentire. If the ground is soft he would have a great chance. He will go well even if it's good. We will probably also run Fantastic Light in the race.

''He is not a 2-mile horse. He doesn't really get the trip, he's just very classy.''

Referring to the incident with San Sebastian, Crisford remarked: ''I can't explain what happened, he seemed to lose his hind legs a bit. He has gone on to win the race and then hung to the right.''

Winning jockey Michael Kinane admitted he thought his mount would keep the race.

''You're always worried when interference happens, but I never felt he would lose the race,'' he said.

''They'd gone a nice gallop but he but he just lost his balance and fell in a bit. I didn't think there was any interference in the second incident.''

Martin Pipe trainer of the runner-up admitted he thought the winner would keep the race.

''We've seen two great horses and I'm happy to settle for second.''

Gerard Butler was delighted with the performance of Compton Ace, who finished third, beaten around two lengths.

The Pharly colt was last entering the straight but produced a strong late finish on the far rails.

''He did not have a saddle on him until December or January,'' Butler said. If he is sound we might bring him back for the King George.

''I told Richard (Hughes) not to leave the inside, they almost always fan wide off the rails on the home turn, and he got a marvellous run up the fence."

The Queen had cause to bemoan her ill-luck as Interlude only managed to fill third spot behind Miletrian and Teggiano in the Ribblesdale Stakes.

But the 70,000 crowd could well have been cheering a Royal success had Interlude managed to secure a clear passage in the home straight.

Richard Hughes, deputising for the injured Kieren Fallon, found himself trapped behind a wall of horses as the race unfolded.

A gap did eventually materialise but by then it was too late for Sir Michael Stoute's charge.

Miletrian, ridden by Michael Roberts, had already flown and went on to defeat Teggiano by 1 lengths with Interlude a short-head further back.

The Queen's racing manager Lord Carnarvon said: ''I'm sure if the gap had appeared 50 yards earlier she would have won.

''She had to try to change from going easily to doing something very quickly and she just did not have the experience to do it.''

Miletrian was bouncing back to form, having finished last in the Oaks.

''The soft ground was all against her at Epsom but she had run well when a close fourth in the Musidora. I've always believed in this filly.''

The first three could clash again in the Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 16.

Trainer Richard Fahey celebrated his first success at Royal Ascot as Superior Premium shot down the big guns in the Cork And Orrery Stakes.

The Yorkshire raider, 20-1, produced a powerful late surge