Librettist set for Group One test

Librettist is set to return to Group One company on his next start after landing the Group Three Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte.

The Godolphin colt ran in the Dewhurst as a juvenile but he dropped back in class this term after returning from a 20-month absence.

After winning a conditions race and a Windsor Listed event, Librettist was stepped up in class at the French venue.

Frankie Dettori wasted no time in taking up the running aboard the Danzig colt but only set a fair pace until tightening the screw approaching the final quarter of a mile.

Librettist showed a bright turn of foot at that point and soon had the chasing pack in trouble.

And although runner-up Helios Quercus emerged from the pack with a power-packed finish, Dettori always had things under control.

Andre Fabre’s Manduro – who was last seen finishing third to Ouija Board at Royal Ascot – stayed on well under Christophe Soumillon to fill the same spot here.

William Hill cut Librettist to 12-1 from 14s for the Cantor Spreadfair Sussex Stakes but trainer Saeed bin Suroor warned he is not a definite runner at Goodwood.

“I am happy that Librettist has now won a Group Three after his previous success in a Listed race,” he told www.godolphin.com.

“He made all the running and Frankie was happy with him, saying he won really well. The options now are the Sussex Stakes (August 2) and the Prix Jacques Le Marois (at Deauville, August 13). We will watch the ground as he prefers good to soft going.”

Dragon Dancer, runner-up to Sir Percy in the Vodafone Derby, failed to notch a first career success when finishing only second in the Prix Eugene Adam.

Geoff Wragg’s charge was beaten a short head at Epsom before finishing fourth in the Irish Derby last time but has yet to get his head in front.

Although he travelled well under Alan Munro, Dragon Dancer had no answer when German raider Flashing Numbers made his move approaching the final furlong in the mile-and-a-quarter test.

Once asked to go about his business, Mario Hofer’s charge quickened up smartly to record a ready success, with Linda’s Lad – who took a long time to hit top gear – coming through late to take third.

Peter Chapple Hyam’s early pacesetter Markovitch folded in the closing stages to finish out of the frame.

Ioritz Mendizabal, rider of the winner, explained: “He travelled very well and I was always confident – his acceleration was very good. He could progress to a Group One from this as he is a top-class horse.”

Munro added: “My mount ran very well but on the day we were just beaten by a better horse but that doesn’t detract from Dragon Dancer’s quality.”

The British-trained runners failed to make any impact in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin with the prize going the way of German filly Boccassini.

Davy Bonilla hit the front inside the final furlong on the daughter of Artan and she kept on gamely to hold three-time winner Golden Titus.

Magic America flew home to grab third while British duo Not For Me and Evens And Odds failed to mount a serious challenge in the five-and-a-half-furlong contest.

Bonilla said: “She went really well but it wasn’t an easy ride. I imagine we will now go for the Prix Morny at Deauville in August.”