Defending champion Holmes, who took Commonwealth Games 1,500m gold earlier this summer, brushed off her injury worries to finish in a time of four minutes 32.10 seconds.

Turkey's Sureyya Ayhan, who won the European title in August and has been unbeaten throughout the track season, finished second in 4:34.40.

Russia's Tatyana Tomashova clocked a time of 4:35.70 to take third spot.

The race was billed as a grudge meeting between Holmes and Slovakian Jolanda Ceplak, but Ceplak's challenge never materialised and she finished well down the field.

The pair have been at loggerheads since falling out in August after Ceplak won the 800m at the European Championships in Munich.

Holmes, who took bronze, publicly hinted her rival may not have won fairly, and refused to apologise for her comments.

The pair appeared to have buried the hatchet on Friday as they hugged each other warmly ahead of the race.

After the race a delighted Holmes said: "It has been fantastic not only to win here but to beat Ayhan who has been running so brilliantly this year.

"I am delighted to have retained my title because I have been ill for the last few weeks.

"I came here with the intention of winning again and also proving I am fit enough to go into the winter season without any problems."

In the men's race, European 1,500m bronze medallists Rui Silva held off the challenge of defending champion Vyacheslav Shabunin to clinch victory.

In a closely contested race, Russian Shabunin finished in second spot, while Commonwealth champion Michael East was third.

Results:
Women's:
1 K Holmes (Ealing) 4:32.10
2 S Ayhan (Tur) 4:34.40
3 T Tomashova (Rus) 4:35.70
4 G Hendricken (Irl) 4:37.20
5 H Pattinson (Preston) 4:39.70
6 C Sacramento (Por) 4:43.20
7 O Komiagina (Rus) 4:43.60, 8 J Fenn (Woodford Green) 4:44.20
9 J Ceplak (Slo) 4:48.90
10 M Dominguez (Spa) 4:49.90

Men's:
1 R Silva (Por) 4mins 12.40secs
2 V Shabunin (Rus) 4:12.60
3 M East (Newham&Essex Beagles) 4:12.80
4 J Thie (Cardiff) 4:13.00
5 A Graffin (Belgrave) 4:13.10
6 J Mayock (Barnsley) 4:14.00
7 A Whiteman (Shaftesbury Barnet) 4:15.00
8 T Mayo (Cannock & Staffs) 4:16.00
9 R Estevez (Spa) 4:16.30
10 J Espana (Spa) 4:16.90

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