Bago beaten as Valixir stakes his Arc claim

BAGO failed to live up to his star billing at Longchamp yesterday as Valixir and Prospect Park fought out a thrilling finish to the Prix Niel Casino Barriere d’Enghien.

Jonathan Pease’s colt, ridden by Thierry Gillet, could manage only third place in the Group Two contest, beaten just over a length on his first attempt at a mile and a half.

He never looked like landing a blow to the principals in a race that was won last year by subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victor Dalakhani.