Godolphin's latest assault on the Kentucky Derby was wide of the mark at the Churchill Downs on Saturday night when Express Tour finished eighth of 17 starters behind Monarchos.

Monarchos, who was a 10-1/2 to 1 chance, ran out the impressive winner in front of 154,210 spectators, the second-biggest Derby day crowd ever. The John Ward-trained colt drew clear in the home straight under Jorge Chevaz to beat the outsider Invisible Ink by four and three-quarter lengths, with Congaree a nose back in third.

The hot favourite, Point Given, raced wide all the way from his outside draw but had no answer when the winner went for home and finished fifth.

In the 127 running of the 10furlong contest, Monarchos recorded the second-fastest time in the event since Secretariat's victory in 1973. Ward was understandably delighted and said: "He's a nice horse and if you take your time with super athletes they repay you."

It was the first Derby victory for Chavez and Ward.

And it came after Monarchos' second-place finish to Congaree in the Wood Memorial, a defeat that did not concern Ward.

"For getting a horse ready for a mile and a quarter, it was a perfect prep," he said.

John Velazquez, who rode the runner-up, lodged an objection claiming the winner had hampered Invisible Ink at the quarter pole but the result was allowed to stand by the stewards.

Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "David (Flores) felt the last eighth of a mile found us out. He was in a good enough position and enjoyed a clean run. He'll remain in the States and be dropped back to a mile and an eighth (the distance of the Preakness)."