Racing: Henrythenavigator repelled the late thrust of Raven's Pass to give Aidan O'Brien his 16th Group One success of the season in the BGC Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
The 4-11 favourite settled nicely for Johnny Murtagh as Ballydoyle pacemaker Windsor Palace took the field along in the early stages.
Henrythenavigator quickened impressively over a furlong out to take a couple of lengths out of his rivals and although Raven's Pass began to reel him in late on, the market leader was a head to the good at the line.
Henrythenavigator was notching his fourth successive victory at the highest level having completed the English/Irish 2000 Guineas double before winning the St James's Palace Stakes.
Raven's Pass was chasing home the Ballydoyle colt for the third time this season having finished fourth at Newmarket and second at Royal Ascot.
Murtagh said: "The good ones have everything. They couldn't go fast enough for him.
"I had a nice position and when he quickened up he quickened really well - I'd say the time for the last two furlongs would have been exceptional.
"When I went by the others I went to the rail and I was in front soon enough on him. He sensed Jimmy (Fortune on Raven's Pass) coming and was up for the battle. He's a great horse and he won easily at the line. He won't be beaten this year."
O'Brien admitted to being worried by the slow pace set by Windsor Palace. "I was very worried with two furlongs to go. Obviously David (McCabe, jockey) did his best on Windsor Palace but he was flat out all the way," said O'Brien.
"Henry is a very special horse as he has so much speed but gets the mile well.
"We thought he was special after the day he won his maiden at Gowran so it's great."
John Gosden was delighted with the performance of Raven's Pass, although frustrated that he had been beaten by Henrythenavigator again.
"Henrythenavigator is an exceptional horse and the fact that we were drawn on the rail compromised us somewhat," explained Gosden.
"I didn't think Aidan's pacemaker was up to the usual standard as he wasn't a natural speed horse.
"We had no choice but to come off the rail as if the pacemaker comes back in your face you are in a box and you look a fool.
"Henrythenavigator is a tough horse to give a length and a half start to but we are thrilled with our horse and thank goodness we turned up otherwise he would have won by four lengths!"
Result
Goodwood 3.30
1 Henrythenavigator (J Murtagh) 4-11 Fav
2 Raven's Pass (J Fortune) 4-1
3 Major Cadeaux (R Hughes) 14-1
6 ran
Also: 16-1 Winker Watson 4th
Non Runner: 3
Aidan O'Brien's Group One winners in 2008
April 27: Duke Of Marmalade - Prix Ganay, Longchamp
May 3: Henrythenavigator - 2000 Guineas, Newmarket
May 24: Henrythenavigator - Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh
May 25: Duke Of Marmalade - Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh
May 25: Halfway To Heaven - Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh
June 6: Soldier Of Fortune - Coronation Cup, Epsom
June 17: Haradasun - Queen Anne Stakes, Royal Ascot
June 17:Henrythenavigator - St James's Palace Stakes, Royal Ascot
June 18: Duke Of Marmalade - Prince of Wales's Stakes, Royal Ascot
June 19: Yeats - Gold Cup, Royal Ascot
June 29: Frozen Fire - Irish Derby, Curragh
July 5: Mount Nelson - Coral-Eclipse, Sandown
July 13: Moonstone - Irish Oaks, Curragh
July 26: Duke Of Marmalade - King George, Ascot
July 27: Mastercraftsman - Phoenix Stakes, Curragh
July 30: Henrythenavigator - Sussex Stakes, Goodwood