Divine Proportions cemented her position at the head of the betting for the 1000 Guineas with a clear-cut success in the Prix Marcel Boussac Royal Barriere Deauville at Longchamp yesterday.

The 8-11 favourite had to survive a stewards' inquiry after they looked into possible interference inside the final furlong.

The victory continued the domination of trainer Pascal Bary and owners the Niarchos family in the Group One contest following the wins of Six Perfections and Denebola in the last two years.

William Hill and Coral were impressed and make the filly 4-1 favourite for the Newmarket Classic next spring, with Ladbrokes going 5-1.

But Alan Cooper, racing manager to the owners, who went on to take the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Bago, did not immediately confirm the 1000 Guineas as her target.

He said: ''It's next May and we have plenty of time to think about it.''

John Gosden's Titian Time ran well to finish second, two lengths behind the winner, after being given a good front-running ride by Jimmy Fortune.

Gosden said: ''The winner is an exceptional filly and whatever Guineas she goes for, we'll sidestep her and go for a another one.''

Sir Mark Prescott's Intrigued was just half a length behind Titian Time in fourth after finishing fast.

Fresh from saddling Ad Valorem to win the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, Aidan O'Brien struck again at Group One level with a two-year-old when Oratorio (5-2) got up close home under Jamie Spencer in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

After the win William Hill went 16-1 about Oratorio for the 2000 Guineas, with Ladbrokes offering the Ballydoyle colt at 20-1.

O'Brien has not enjoyed a good season by his high standards and he said: ''It's a big relief for everybody, right to the top, that they are running so well again.

''He put his head out and quickened. That might be it for the season.''

Alexander Goldrun (6-1) put up a convincing display in the Prix de l'Opera Casino Barriere to give the Irish another winner on the day.

Jim Bolger's consistent filly, ridden by Kevin Manning, got the better of Grey Lilas by a length to reverse French Oaks form.

''She finished three-parts of a length behind Grey Lilas in the Diane.

"But I thought she had improved massively since then,'' revealed Bolger.

''I was always quite happy with her in the early part of the season as she was always a bit underweight.

"But recently we have been struggling to keep the weight off her. She's entered at Hollywood, but I think she's probably done enough for the season now.

''I don't know if she will stay in training next season, but I'll be doing my best to make sure she does.''

Westerner (8-13) repeated his victory of 12 months ago in the Prix du Cadran Casino Les Princes Barriere de Cannes with a powerful staying performance.

The Elie Lelouche-trained five-year-old was always going well for Olivier Peslier in the two-and-a-half-mile test.

He quickened into the lead once in the home straight and the result was never in doubt as he stretched three lengths clear of Cut Quartz at the line.

Le Carre was another length away in third, with Nicky Henderson's Dancing Bay running a good race to stay on into fourth.

Mark Johnston's Darasim and Anak Pekan, from Michael Jarvis's yard, dropped out of contention in the straight to finish sixth and seventh respectively.

Westerner's owner Alec Wildenstein said: ''He's a very good horse and very game, because he hated the ground. He was going all over the place on it.

''He'll run in the Prix Royal-Oak and then we'll see him again next year.''

The winner wore earplugs, which were controversially removed in mid-race when he was second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Wildenstein added: ''We left them in today. We were just getting him used to them. He pulls quite hard and they help him to settle.''

Henderson was delighted with Dancing Bay's run on the fast surface.

He said: ''He's run a smashing race on the wrong ground. He'd win one of these if he could get his toe in.

"He's so well we must look at the Jockey Club Cup now. He's having a smashing year and he's only won one handicap.