Group One Glory For Godolphin

Librettist gave Godolphin their fourth victory in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois with a gutsy success at Deauville.

And within minutes of the four-year-old's win in the mile feature, Cherry Mix provided Sheikh Mohammed's operation with their second win of the year at the top level in the Rheinland-Pokal der Sparkasse KolnBonn in Germany.

Frankie Dettori pushed Librettist into the lead a furlong and a half out and he stayed on well through the rain-softened ground to land the spoils by a neck.

He was emulating Godolphin's past winners of this contest ? Dubai Millennium (1999), Muhtathir (2000) and Dubawi (2005).

German raider Manduro was second, with Sir Michael Stoute's Peeress a head away third and the favourite Stormy River fourth and Aidan O'Brien's Ad Valorem fifth.

Librettist has now been beaten just once in seven starts, with his sole defeat coming in a high-class renewal of the 2004 Dewhurst.

Dettori was in a jubilant mood afterwards.

'This is a very important win for everyone on the Godolphin team,' he said.

'The Prix Jacques le Marois is one of the big races of the season and Librettist won it well on very bad ground. My horse's class counted for a lot today.'

Asked if he thought the son of Danzig could be stepped up in trip, the Italian remarked: 'He perhaps might get 10 furlongs maximum.'

Bin Suroor added: 'This is very satisfying after the poor beginning of the season that we've had. This was Librettist's main target so we'll wait to see where he goes next.'

Dettori was completing a double on the card having earlier won the Prix Francois Boutin on the Andre Fabre-trained Visionario in the colours of the Aga Khan.

? PA Sport