French raider Natagora answered questions about her ability to stay over a mile in a most emphatic manner on Sunday as she took victory in the 2008 1,000 Guineas.

The French filly won by half a length as she maintained her lead throughout the race, eventually holding off a late charge by Spacious to win the 1,000 Guineas by half a length. Irish runner Saoirse Abu took third place.

“I can’t believe it. I had so much confidence, the only thing for me was to try to get a good position without using too much energy,” said Natagora’s rider Christophe Lemaire. “She gave all she had and is a fantastic filly.”

The 1,000 Guineas results provided yet another disappointment for John Gosden, whose runner Infallible had been priced as race favourite by several bookmakers. Infallible didn’t even qualify for minor honours, coming home in 4th place.

Infallible’s loss, paralleled by an equally uninspired performance by Raven’s Pass in the 2,000 Guineas put pay to speculation that the trainer was headed for the first ever Classics Grand Slam.

A large contingent of the 1,000 Guineas runners will now head to the Irish 1,000 Guineas in Curragh.