Aljabr produced a sparkling performance under Frankie Dettori to at last give Godolphin the result they wanted in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury today.
For the past two runnings of the event which gained Group One status in 1995, the Godolphin second-string has won the event but things went to the script today with Aljabr's superb all-the-way two-length success over Trans Island, who had a short head to spare over Indian Lodge.
Worldly Manner who ran in the second colours of Godolphin finished last of the seven-runner field.
It was a brave performance by the 8-13 favourite who showed he has fully recovered from the craked knee he sustained in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last September.
The victory further advertised the good form shown by the Dubai operation's older horses _ also boosted by Kayf Tara and Lend A Hand at York earlier in the week _ following the ordinary form shown by some of their three-year-old's.
"That gets us out of the frying pan and although we did not end up in the fire it was getting pretty hot," said a relieved Simon Crisford, Godolphin's racing manager.
He went on: "He'll now go for the Sussex Stakes or the Queen Anne although horses that win this race don't usually win the Queen Anne."
As he dismounted from Aljabr, Dettori declared with delight: "I got it right today."
The former champion jockey is now looking forward to his mount, who has won Group One races as a two, three and four-year-old, meeting an old rival at Royal Ascot.
"We might have to put the record straight against Sendawar," he said, referring to the defeat inflicted on Aljabr by his French rival in last year's St James's Palace Stakes.
"This horse is a model of consistency, he always tries very hard and whoever takes him on will know they've been in a race. He has lots of natural speed and they'd have to be pretty fast to get past him."
Referring to Worldly Manner's performance Crisford felt the underfoot conditions may have gone against him.
"He prefers more cut and was a little keen and fresh. A drop in class may get him going because he has a lot of talent," he said.
Godolphin's day got off to the perfect start when Sea Wave landed the Listed Grundon Recycle Stakes by one and three-quarter lengths from long-time leader Lightning Arrow.
The five-year-old had not been certain to return to England from Dubai for this season according to Crisford.
"He came pretty close top missing the cut," he said. "But he showed enough over the winter that we thought we'd give him another chance.
"Today's race was ideal we dropped him in class and gave him a chance to prove his honesty."
Henry Cecil's Warren Place yard has been under a cloud with no successes over the last 13 days but there was light at the end of the tunnel with the victory of Subtle Power (7-2) in the Hatherdine Maiden Stakes.
Running in the Thoroughbred Corporation colours, carried to success by Royal Anthem in this race two years ago, Subtle Power stayed on well to deny Red Empress by one and a quarter lengths and may find himself heading for Doncaster in September.
The Sadler's Wells colt holds a Vodafone Derby entry but that route was immediately ruled out by the trainer.
"He's a big backward horse who is sure to improve a lot and will get a lot further in the future," said Cecil.
"He travelled nicely and might make a Leger horse if he can go on improving."
Referring to his lean spell, Cecil said: "They are a bit up and down at the moment, as some recover from whatever it is we've got then others go down with it. Another three or four went down yesterday."
Cecil is expected to give his Green Ridge Stables Newmarket Stakes winner Beat Hollow some more serious work on Wednesday as he prepares him for the Vodafone Derby.
"I also hope to get a racecourse gallop into him somewhere," he added.
The London Gold Cup Rated Stakes went to the John Dunlop-trained Cephalonia while Patsy's Double could be Royal Ascot (Windsor Castle Stakes) bound after winning the Kingwood Maiden Stakes for Michael Blanshard.
Trainer David Elsworth's concern that the seven-furlong trip might be too short for La Speziana in the Headley Fillies' Handicap Stakes proved unfounded when the Perugino filly denied the fast-finishing Swift Dispersal by three-quarters of a length.
