Light shows the way for Godolphin

London: Godolphin swooped to collect one of Deauville's long-established summer contests, the Prix Gontaut-Biron, when Echo Of Light made virtually all over the 10-furlong trip to scrape home in the Group Three race on Wednesday.

Frankie Dettori was at his brilliant best as he bounced Echo Of Light away smartly from a wide draw and established a two-length lead turning out of the straight.

He then proceeded to dictate terms and kept his mount going in the dying strides as Atlantic Air finished on well to get within a short head of him.

Kocab was a head away in third.

"He was brave in the finish," said trainer Saeed Bin Surour. "It showed me the horse has plenty of speed and maybe he is more of a miler really."

Godolphin will have other significant runners in the next week. Olympian Odyssey, a purchase from owner Bill Gredley out of Barry Hills' yard, will attempt to give the 'royal blues' their third successive victory in the totesport.com Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury.

The four-year-old will be fresh for this race, as he has not been seen out since twice running in Dubai during the winter.

His best performance last year was a solid third to George Washington in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, so clearly he has the profile to win a race such as the Sovereign.

Trainer Saeed Bin Surour said: "He seems in good form, and we are looking for a big run from him. It looks a tough race, but we hope he can win."

UPDATE
Vets check horses for equine influenza

Vets checked thousands of racehorses across Japan for flu on Thursday after animals at two training centres were suspected of having contracted the virus, a Japan Racing Association (JRA) official confirmed.

About 200 veterinarians were dispatched to check some 5,000 racehorses at JRA facilities, the official told reporters.

To prevent any spread of the virus, the association put a blanket ban on movement of horses between JRA facilities around the country, he said.

-AP