Jim Bolger's Coronation Stakes winner was the No 1 choice of racegoers and was supported down to even-money at the off.

However, there was to be no dream outcome as jockey Kevin Manning found trouble everywhere he went down the straight in the 10-furlong contest after electing to race on the inner rail.

Repeated attempts to extricate himself failed, but to the three-year-old's credit she weaved her way through to lose out by just a head, with Manning's job not being made any easier as he dropped his reins close home.

Johnny Murtagh had been aware the race may develop into a tactical battle and always had O'Brien's Irish 1000 Guineas winner to the fore as the Ballydoyle team took aim on their 17th Group One of the season.

He then sent the 5-1 chance about her business entering the final furlong and she held on by a head in a dramatic climax, with Henry Cecil's Passage Of Time the same distance down in third and Heaven Sent in fourth.

"The run continues, but it was a bit of a tactical race. It went the way I thought it would if there was no pace though,'' said Murtagh.

"Aidan said she is very straightforward and if she jumps then let her be there.

"He said to do my own thing in front and remember that she is a Guineas winner.

"Inside the two when I let her go she quickened up well and battled out bravely to the line. It is good to come out on top in a finish like that.''

Murtagh and O'Brien have also struck with the like of Yeats and Henrythenavigator this week, and he added: "Today is over and we will roll on to next weekend and the Arlington Million where Mount Nelson is going to run.

"It is just one good horse coming along after the next.''

While joy and happiness surrounded the Ballydoyle brigade, things were not so rosy in the runner-up spot where Bolger took Lush Lashes defeat on the chin.

He said: "These things happen. It is not really frustrating – it is horse racing.

"Kevin gave an accurate assessment of what happened and I'm not in the blame game, I leave that to others.

"I'm not sure where we will go now. She is in the Yorkshire Oaks and we'll have a look at that.''

Freddie Head's brilliant summer continued as Goldikova held off the challenge of Darjina to win the Prix Rothschild, better known as the Prix d'Astarte, at Deauville yesterday.

With Group One victories for Marchand D'Or and Tamayuz already in the bag, Goldikova – put in her place twice by Zarkava this season – travelled beautifully throughout for Oliver Peslier.

Frankie Dettori moved Mark Johnston's Nahoodh to challenge, but never looked like getting close enough to the leaders.

After taking over the running from Natagora inside the final furlong, the winner had to be kept up to her work to hold off the late lunge of Darjina.

Zacinto, a general 14-1 chance for next year's Stan James 2000 Guineas, is on course to take the next step up the ladder at Doncaster.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt was an impressive eight-length winner of a Sandown maiden on his racecourse bow and connections are now eyeing a switch to Group Two company.

The Urban-i Champagne Stakes on September 13 boasts the likes of Guineas favourite Mastercraftsman and the well-regarded War Native among its initial entries.

Phoenix Tower and Famous Name could represent owner Khalid Abdullah in the International at York later this month.

The August 19 event is sponsored by Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms and both runners would be seeking a first success at Group One level should they contest the 10-furlong event.