Mail's First-class Delivery for Drowne

Mail The Desert paid a handsome compliment to her Goodwood conqueror, Geminiani, when making just about all the running to win the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.

A first winner at the track for jockey Steve Drowne, the Mick Channon-trained filly, an 8-1 shot, just held off the late thrust of Luminata. John Gosden's Pearl Dance, who harried Mail The Desert for much of the way, finished a close third.

Luminata's stable companion Danaskaya was sent off the 5-2 favourite, but Jim Bolger's filly failed to strike a blow, though beaten less then a length in fourth place.

"Mail The Desert is very game and kept pulling out plenty for me," said Drowne. "I wasn't able to get a lead as the boss had suggested, because there was no one keen to make it and I let my filly stride on. She was ideally suited by the going which is on the faster side of good."

Galvanised by first-time blinkers, Danehurst returned to winning form in the Big Shuffle Flying Five, a Group 2 contest.

But it was only in the last few strides that George Duffield forced Sir Mark Prescott's sprinter in front from Nerys Dutfield's bold front runner, Lady Dominatrix, the mount of Paul Doe.

Godolphin's Marienbard was cut from 25-1 to 12-1 by Coral for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after recording a clear-cut victory in the Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden yesterday.

Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, said: "I spoke to Sheikh Mohammed immediately after the race and this horse is definitely going for the Arc. But don't forget we also have Grandera and Sakhee in the race and we urge people not to discount Sakhee as we are very happy with him."

It was the visored Marienbard's second consecutive Group 1 success in Germany. Frankie Dettori held him up behind the leaders as far as the straight and then brought him to take over from Kieren Fallon's mount, Boreal, inside the final two furlongs.

Marienbard stretched clear and was then allowed to relax close home, winning by two and a half lengths from Salve Regina. Noroit was third but Boreal, who started favourite to regain his Coronation Cup-winning form, dropped out to finish sixth.

Early retirement is looming for crack sprinter Kyllachy, who has been plagued by a mystery stiffness since his win in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

The four-year-old had x-rays taken on his knees on Wednesday followed by a bone scan of his entire frame. He is now back at Henry Candy's stable in Wantage following the tests.

"They didn't find anything definite. He's very nearly sound again now and he seems fine," Candy said yesterday. "We're going to give him three weeks on the easy list and then decide what to do."

Candy did admit that although the Prix de l'Abbaye was still being considered, retirement was the more likely option for Kyllachy. "The Abbaye is a bit doubtful quite honestly, but it is still a possibility. Retirement I'd say was the most likely policy, but no decision has been made."