First two demoted in Cologne Group 1

Vif Monsieur was sensationally awarded the Group 1 Preis von Europa at Cologne yesterday after both winner Meandre and second Empoli were demoted for interference.

Meandre surged to the lead up the home straight under jockey Adrie de Vries in the mile and a half but in the process Earl Of Tinsdal was squeezed and stopped in his run inside the final two furlongs.

Meandre had to fight hard to hold off the sustained challenge of Empoli in the final furlong but clung on to win. Vif Monsieur finished third with Earl Of Tinsdal fourth.