The Aidan O'Brien-trained Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo - Sequoyah, by Sadler's Wells) confirmed his status as a miler out of the top drawer in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday, pulling more out of the locker close home to see off his old rival Raven's Pass by a head.

Henrythenavigator settled well off the moderate early pace set by stablemate Windsor Palace with Raven's Pass, surprisingly adopting similar tactics to those used in defeat before, tracking him.

In the straight Henrythenavigator pulled out to pass his rivals, hitting the front two furlongs out. Raven's Pass came with him, as did Peter Chapple-Hyam's Winker Watson. The latter was the first to crack as he faded in the final furlong, but Raven's Pass kept coming at Henrythenavigator and looked as though he might pass him until the winner found more in the final 50 yards to seal his fourth Group One win of the season. Major Cadeaux ran on to take third from Winker Watson, three and a quarter lengths down.

Murtagh told Channel 4 Racing: "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."