Casamento shows Classic credentials

Now second favourite a 8-1 with William Hill for the 2000 Guineas, the Shamardal colt was providing trainer Mick Halford with his first Group One winner.

While the handler will obviously be sad to see him go, he knew the plan all along and has just been grateful to train a top-class colt for an owner as prominent as Sheikh Mohammed.

"It was always the plan that he was going to join Godolphin and I've no problem with that," said Halford.

"I'm just grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for sending me two horses and luckily enough we've got a good one."

The 2-1 favourite hit the front two furlongs out under Frankie Dettori and gamely held off the challenge of the Aidan O'Brien-trained duo Seville and Master Of Hounds.

"I personally think he might have enough speed for the Guineas, but he's not slow either and stays," added Halford.

Dettori added: "It was a great performance and I'm delighted for Sheikh Mohammed and Mick, which is his first Group One.

"I think he's probably a Derby horse, but we'll wait and see.

"He's an exciting horse for next year and will certainly stay 10 furlongs. This has been a good stepping stone in the past and he's won it well."

Ed Dunlop was satisfied with Native Khan's performance in Saturday's big race at Doncaster.

The grey son of Azamour lined up for the final Group One of the season unbeaten but lost that record behind a trio of Irish raiders, headed by Casamento.

Racing on ground softer than ideal, however, Native Khan ran on pleasingly inside the final two furlongs, having been one of the first off the bridle.

"He really stayed on well and came from off the pace on ground he didn't like," said Dunlop.

"Paul (Hanagan) was adamant he hated the ground and the first thing he said was that he'd have been much closer on quicker ground.

"We learned a lot about him trip-wise and everybody was very complimentary about him afterwards.

"I'm as happy as I can be without actually winning the race.

"He quickened from way off the pace on ground he didn't like and he'll definitely stay further next year.

"It was the first time he's ever been in a battle. He won his maiden in style and even in the Solario he got blocked in, but as soon as the gap was there he quickened through it.

"There's speed in his family but he's also related to a hurdler so it bodes well for next year.

"We'll be thinking of the Guineas and a Derby trial and while he's French-bred and could go for the French Derby, we'll be giving Epsom some thought, even though he's not entered.

"I thought he was the horse to take out of the race."

Brian Meehan is eyeing a trip to France with Earl Of Leitrim (11-1) after the unexposed colt landed the Listed Doncaster Stakes.

Galtymore Lad looked to have the race at his mercy but he faded into third behind the impressive half-length winner.

"He's a lovely horse and he keeps improving," said Meehan.

"He's in a Group Two at Maisons-Laffitte and we'll seriously consider that race over six furlongs.

"He's a smart colt and he'll make a lovely three-year-old."

Ryder Cup winner Lee Westwood was on hand to welcome back Hoof It (10-1) after Mick Easterby's sprinter landed the 40% Better Off On Betfair SP Handicap.

Kieren Fallon had to get into overdrive to catch Noble Storm but won by a cosy neck.

"He's a great horse and we had a top jockey on board who gave him a lovely ride," said Westwood.

"Footballers, cricketers and rugby players all play golf to relax and this is what I do."

Meehan and Fallon then teamed up with Inler (7-1) in the Barry Hills Biography Conditions Stakes.

Talked off as a Guineas horse in the spring, the switch to Manton appears to have worked.

"Next year he'll be some horse, he might go to Dubai," said Meehan.

Salden Licht (28-1) grimly held off Alazan in the crownhotel-bawtry.com in a finish dominated by National Hunt trainers.

Walter Swinburn's Majestic Dream sprang a 33-1 surprise in the closing Universal Recycling Nursery.