Sheikh Mohammed's decision to recruit Faithful Son for the Godolphin operation paid its first dividend as the bay brushed aside four opponents in the listed Royal Sussex Regiment Festival Stakes at Goodwood yesterday.

The son of Zilzal developed into a very smart performer for Michael Stoute last year, finishing the campaign with a third to Air Express in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in September.

Sent off at 4 to 6 for yesterday's 10-furlong contest, the four-year-old, making his debut in the Godolphin blue after a winter in Dubai, was held up last of the five runners as Lonely Heart made the running.

Creeping closer in the straight, Faithful Son was still cantering when sent to the front by John Reid over a furlong out and had stretched three clear of Musalsal by the line, with Lonely Heart a length and three-quarters away in third.

Digitalize had to work quite hard to maintain her unbeaten record in the day's other Listed race, the Marriott Goodwood Park Hotel Conqueror Stakes. Sent on by Jimmy Quinn over two from home the Dayjur filly, successful on her debut at Newmarket at the start of the month, had to be ridden to shake off the attentions of Godolphin's Shuhrah. Henry Cecil was completing a double after the victory, at odds of 4 to 7, of Porto Foricos in the opening A & J Bull Maiden.

Ed Dunlop was a relieved man after the Motability 21st Anniversary Stakes won by Hajr. Dunlop had sent out Monaassib to take the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on Lincoln Handicap day - his first win of the year - but has not been seen in a winner's circle since.