Ramonti And Dettori Grab Sussex Spoils

Ramonti claimed a Group One double in the BGC Sussex Stakes after just holding on from the fast-finishing Excellent Art.

Never too far from the pace under Frankie Dettori, the 9-2 chance, winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, was in the ideal position when the tempo quickened.

Jamie Spencer asked 15-8 favourite Excellent Art for a big effort two furlongs out but could never quite get on terms and was a head down at the line.

Jeremy edged Asiatic Boy in a photo for third.

The pace, set by Trinity College and Archipenko, stablemates of Excellent Art, was a ferocious one, with Asiatic Boy just in behind.

But Dettori was always confident the Italian import would pick up when asked and he was not disappointed.

Recent speculation has suggested Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation may be in decline, but this victory, allied with that of Rio De La Plata 40 minutes earlier, puts that particular theory well and truly to rest.

Dettori told Channel 4 Racing: 'Ramonti is a good horse and now he's shown to the world that it wasn't a fluke at Ascot ? he can do it again.

'They went a very strong pace and I wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a sprint so I took it up two-out and I knew he would battle to the line.'

(C) PA Sport